Mission
Mission explores the way churches and Christians can be involved in their local area to support and meet the needs of those communities.
{"id":14779820540284,"title":"On the Way to Work: A Christian approach to thinking differently about success and fulfillment","handle":"on-the-way-to-work-a-christian-approach-to-thinking-differently-about-success-and-fulfillment","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eDoes your work give you a sense of purpose? How do you feel when work serves up difficulties and problems? How do we work well? Is there a God, and might God have something to say about the way we work? Weaving together biblical perspectives with academic research and his own experiences of working in different settings, Chris Gillies lays the theological foundation for work, moves on to examining biblical role models from both Old and New Testaments, and concludes by exploring common issues we wrestle with in our work, from money matters or managing and leading others to knowing if we’re in the right job or simply doing the right thing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/zocoSqG4BN4?si=wpDl7TTQSwymPIW1\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChris Gillies\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWith thirty years’ experience of working at director level in financial services, Chris Gillies has also served on the boards of four different churches and ten UK charities including Westminster Theological Centre and The Children’s Society. He is Chair of Council for Stewardship and Treasurer for LICC.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5 data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘There’s new thinking here, hammered out on the anvil of a long, demanding, and successful career at the highest corporate levels through prayerful reflection, biblical engagement and careful analysis. Chris Gillies offers us a rich understanding of God’s purposes for humankind, framing his approach to work on the dynamic springboard of the life, character and work of Jesus, and on the ongoing empowering of the Holy Spirit for everyday work. This is a book that anyone at any level could profit from. Bravo. And thank you.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eMark Greene, mission champion, The London Institute for Contemporary Christianity (LICC)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Christians just don’t think enough about work and the way work is changing. On the Way to Work is a treasure trove of deep insight from the scriptures and a mine of good advice from a seasoned practitioner. Chris Gillies’ insights are honed from many years’ experience and will be lifegiving for all kinds of people in different roles and occupations.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eSteven Croft, bishop of Oxford\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘On the Way to Work paints a reframing vision of how we can approach our working lives as worship. Such a brilliant handbook for how to approach the world of work with a kingdom-first mindset. Equipping, affirming and inspiring. I can’t wait for Monday!’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eCaragh Bennet, cofounder and CEO, ZENA\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Chris Gillies combines values with brilliant business acumen. He is one of the few people I pause to think “what would Chris do” and, most importantly, how. I’ve been lucky enough for Chris to have been my professional mentor since working together at Zurich. This book offers the opportunity for everyone to experience his wisdom and guidance, helping you choose how to spend your energy and achieve your aspirations, with morals at the forefront of decisions and actions.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eKathryn Axcell-Steele, head of brand and integrated marketing, Wesleyan Assurance Society\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Chris Gillies offers a rich and rare combination of biblical wisdom, practical insight and personal experience that will inspire Christians to think differently about their work and its significance. My hope and prayer is that Christians and other readers will learn from Chris and the compelling vision he sets forth in this book.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eMatt Lynch, associate professor of Old Testament, Regent College\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘This important book is insightful and inspiring, and full of invaluable, real-life examples of leaders navigating the world of work. Anyone who is keen to discover how to best deploy their influence for the kingdom of God will find much here to guide them through their careers.’\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStephen Foster, rector, St Aldates, Oxford, and advisor, Alpha UK\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e‘A theology of work and a work of theology. Over many years of treasured friendship, Chris Gillies both demonstrated to me and challenged me to see that the call of God, the vocation of the Christian, is not limited to ordained ministers and foreign missionaries, but rests upon all who follow Jesus and all who are sent to serve the king and his kingdom in every sphere of life and work.’\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSimon Ponsonby, pastor of theology, St Aldates, Oxford\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e‘\u003c\/em\u003eThis book will expand your vision of what a deeply fruitful and successful life looks like. A central premise of the book is that our work matters to God and God really does matter to our work. With that as a robust foundation, Chris Gillies tackles many layers of the implications of what that means for our frontline work, time, money, decision making, relationships; in essence, our whole lives!’\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNess Wilson, leader, Pioneer UK\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e‘This is a remarkable book, and you should read it. In these pages,\u003cbr\u003eChris Gillies illuminates a path to work that is not only distinctive but\u003cbr\u003ealso the way of Jesus and of the kingdom of God. If you let this book\u003cbr\u003edo its work, it will change you – for good. Chris has crafted a work\u003cbr\u003ethat is truly transformative – a powerful journey towards personal\u003cbr\u003eand spiritual growth.’\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaul Woolley, chief executive, The London Institute for\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContemporary Christianity (LICC)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e‘This is a timely book on the importance of work – what we do, how we\u003cbr\u003edo it and most importantly why work is part of God’s plan for what it\u003cbr\u003emeans to be human. Chris Gillies brings together years of experience,\u003cbr\u003ea biblical framework and lots of helpful illustrations in a very readable\u003cbr\u003eand accessible style.’\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeter Lynas, UK director, Evangelical Alliance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘This is quite simply the best book I have read about the interrelationship between Christian faith and our working lives for a very long time. Chris Gillies repeatedly illustrates wise practical advice with telling anecdotes from his own experience, covering many different topics, acknowledging the value of different perspectives and sharing maturely what God has taught him along the way.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eRichard Higginson, former director and chair, Faith in Business\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your career, this book has something invaluable to offer. It masterfully combines the wisdom of years of experience with practical advice, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking God’s calling on their life and true success in their work.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eReuben Coulter, senior advisor, Faith Driven Investor and partner, Ignis Advisory\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘This is a book that has been over 40 years in the writing and its depth and insights reflect the journey of a man who has set his sights on bringing kingdom influence to the highest level of businesses.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eNic Harding, director, Kairos Connexion and Together for the Harvest\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Chris Gillies writes a wonderfully practical and thoughtful book that speaks powerfully about what it means to engage in the world of work in a distinctively Christian way. He constructs a brilliant, thorough and nuanced analysis that challenges the oft-prevailing and unhelpful narrative of the sacred–secular divide, and offers beautifully crafted autobiographical, theological and academic reflections to suggest an alternative mode of being for operating as a Christian in the workplace.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eCatherine Delve, CEO, Resurgam Asset Management Limited; chair of trustees, Bridge the Gap Football\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5 data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFaith in Business Quarterly (vol 23.2). Review by David Steinegger\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e‘On the way to work, do you look forward to your day? Does it give you a sense of purpose?’ So begins the introduction to Chris Gillies’ book. \u003ci\u003eOn the Way to Work \u003c\/i\u003eprovides a refreshing perspective on the theology of work, gives examples of some of the great biblical role models, offers practical insights into working through many of the common issues we face, and is enriched with examples from Chris’ own experience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe book is structured into three parts. The first part brings a theological perspective which starts in the Garden of Eden, continues through the redemption story and ends in the eternal city in Revelation. I appreciated how this section connects God’s great story for humankind with our stories and reminds us that our lives in our workplaces truly matter. The second part of the book highlights some of the great characters in the Old Testament and God’s anointing in their ‘workplaces’. It then moves on to the life of Christ and the characteristics of his redemptive approach. Part three, the largest section of the book, focuses on common issues we face in the workplace. This section starts with an insightful Christian worldview perspective, reminding us that there is no sacred-secular divide, and that God is profoundly interested in all of our lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eIn part three, Chris goes on to look at some real workplace issues, with biblical and practical insights to tackle them. For example, his chapter on ‘How do I know if I’m in the right job’ gives a scriptural base to address this question, together with practical pointers. Here he encourages readers to loosen their grip on a calling to do a specific job, and rather pursue their life’s mission. This will be helpful for many. I would add that at times God speaks very specifically into our career decisions through scripture, the holy spirit’s guidance and the voice of others. He tackles another real issue in the chapter ‘Balancing the big five’ – describing the challenge of the big five calls on our time – our relationship with God, family, work, community and rest and leisure. In reflecting on this, I was reminded that God has set eternity in our hearts (Eccl 3:11) and if we can live each day with this promise, and the challenge in mind, then we can come to a place of truly flourishing in our lives as Kingdom people – and this is much more precious than gold!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe 290 pages can at first feel a little overwhelming. But I devoured the book on two long haul flights, being stimulated by the three-cord strand of biblical theology, practical insight and great examples from Chris’ many years of experience in the workplace. The summaries at the end of each chapter are helpful, as are each chapter’s questions for personal reflection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eIt would have been helpful if the book had also explored the biblical basis and importance of having wise mentors or coaches: ‘Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.’ (Proverbs 11:14). I have found wise Christian mentors to be a great blessing on my journey in many workplaces across multiple countries and cultures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eI would also like to have seen a template in the book summarising some of the more practical learning points which are interspersed throughout the book. Perhaps a workbook could follow!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eAppropriately, the book ends with a chapter on ‘the prize for running well.’ We are called to be faithful with the gifts and abilities that God has given us. We are reminded that our wok in the here and now foreshadows a new kind of redeemed work after Jesus returns. And here’s a great challenge that Chris presents: we have the opportunity to anticipate that future time by modelling it in the present and living it now for the glory of God and service to humanity!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eWe are called to be kingdom people in our workplaces – and in whatever we do, to work at it with all our hearts, as working for the Lord. Having a God-given sense of purpose in our days is essential if we are to live fulfilled lives. This book offers helpful pointers to living a purposeful life and is a great addition to the library of all who are seeking to be faithful, fruitful and fulfilled in their workplaces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eDavid Steinegger holds a number of non-executive positions, is a people builder, a church leader, and a trustee of several charities, including Wycliffe Bible Translators UK, which he chairs.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 21.07.24. Review by Eve Poole\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThis new book on work from Chris Gillies benefits from his lifetime of working in the financial-services sector. He has spent more than 40 years in finance, working in many different markets, particularly for Zurich Insurance; and has more than 30 years’ experience as a board member of various charities, including the Children’s Society and the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity. His book synthesises his own rich experience of work with his research and with perspectives from the Bible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eWhat sold the book to me was that it was described as 'quite simply the best book I have read about the interrelationship between Christian faith and our working lives for a very long time' by Richard Higginson. As the founder of Faith in Business, he is the oracle in this field, because he has read every book ever written on the subject. So, on this glowing recommendation, I dived straight in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe book itself is very readable, with a handy summary section and points for reflection at each chapter end. Part I focuses on the basics, such as using the Bible, addressing selfishness, being fruitful, and the need to keep a focus on God’s work throughout. Part II covers “Biblical role models” from Joseph to Jesus, and profiles forgotten heroes, such as Boaz as the model employer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003ePart III tackles a range of knotty topics, from money to ethical decision-making, in which my favourite chapter was on “Balancing the Big Five”. It asks some sharp questions about work-life balance. His Big Five are: time with God, time with family, work time (paid or unpaid), time building community, and time for rest, leisure, and exercise. He encourages readers to analyse how they are spending their time across these activities, to identify where time spent may be out of kilter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eI also really appreciated his wise words on vocation: 'the key to finding your special God-given calling is to loosen your grip on the idea that God is calling you to do a specific job.' Charles Eve once called this yearning for the certainty of a highlighted job advert our desire to 'grab the steering wheel' instead of letting God drive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eGillies likewise reminds us to look with soft eyes on the totality of our mission in life, to discern where our work and any particular job fits into the whole. Given that the world of work these days is very non-linear, this is sage advice. At the end of the book, Gillies recommends that we make use of a period of retreat to take stock of our work, to recommit ourselves to our vocation in its totality, and to listen for what God might be saying to us about what we should do next.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eDr Eve Poole writes on theology, economics, and leadership.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCPAS Lead on newsletter review June 2024. Review by Mike Duff\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eSt Paul charges the Philippians, as citizens of heaven, to live utterly different lives to the Roman citizens around them. With 30 years' experience in top-level corporate leadership, Chris Gillies delivers the same powerful challenge to Christians immersed in the culture of their working life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e'The idea God was as interested in my work as he was in the way I did church... that God might have work for me to do at my workplace didn't really occur to me. My understanding of why God mattered to my daily work was virtually non-existent.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eAs at home in the Bible as the workplace, Chris addresses this autobiographical question through four basic themes: how it all started; the problem of selfishness; what it means to be fruitful; where we are heading. Elements of the salvation story are carefully worked out as they apply not in church, home or individual discipleship but in our working life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eNext, he explores with penetrating insight some obvious biblical role models - Joseph, Jethro, Daniel and others - and less obviously how Jesus approached his own redeeming work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe longest section applies biblical discipleship themes to the workplace: What is the prevailing workplace worldview and how might we confront and change it? Am I in the right job? How can we do we do the right thing and adopt a godly lifestyle amid pressures to conform? How do we balance the major claims on our time when work demands everything? How would Jesus have us handle money and lead others? What is our true reward for working well?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003ePreachers will recognise in this outstanding resource many familiar insights but applied with a clarity, insight and authority ew will have achieved. Those whose work is outside the church will find themselves challenged by God's intimate and relentless concern with their working life. Church leaders will be given a profound insight into the world of work and how to shape the life of the church so that it connects with this vital 'frontline'.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Mike Duff, CPAS Patronage Secretary\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eRichard Frost, writer and blogger: \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/workrestpray.com\/\" data-mce-href=\"http:\/\/workrestpray.com\/\"\u003eworkrestpray.com\u003c\/a\u003e. 1 June 2024\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eBooks providing a Christian perspective on work can at times feel as rare as hearing a sermon on the topic. So, Chris Gillies' offering is a welcome contribution and one which I looked forward to reading.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eI spent most of my professional career helping people with their work and also supporting businesses and organisations in caring for staff. I even wrote a book about it myself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eChris Gillies brings a wealth of experience from senior management positions in financial sector businesses and charitable organisations. This, combined with insight from his faith and biblical knowledge, and observations from others (most notably Mark Greene, well known for his own work in this field) provides a strong base on which to build.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eGillies explores the nature of work from Genesis through Old Testament examples such as Joseph and Daniel and the core characteristics Jesus demonstrates for us to aspire to. The author also includes a number of examples of businesses adopting a godly approach towards people, practice and profit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eIts pages are full of well-rehearsed biblical insights and familiar business-speak which will resonate particularly with those with similar faith perspectives and senior leadership experience. For this reviewer, I would have liked to have seen more content which relates to the vast majority of those who find themselves on the way to work: the ones who don't occupy well-paid, high-level, influential roles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eNevertheless, for those who wish to explore this important aspect of life (and one which, for many, occupies a considerable amount of it of it) it is a thought-provoking read.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Richard Frost, a former employment specialist, and the author of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/life-with-st-benedict-the-rule-re-imagined-for-everyday-living\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/life-with-st-benedict-the-rule-re-imagined-for-everyday-living\"\u003eLife with St Benedict\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/richardfrostauthor.com\/\" data-mce-href=\"http:\/\/richardfrostauthor.com\/\"\u003efour other books\u003c\/a\u003e. Richard writes a blog at \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/workrestpray.com\/\" data-mce-href=\"http:\/\/workrestpray.com\/\"\u003eworkrestpray.com\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBooks for Today April 2024. Paul Beasley-Murray\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eOn the way to work: A Christian approach to thinking differently about success and fulfilment \u003c\/em\u003eby Chris Gillies, who is the treasurer of the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity, is intended for all those who are at work, to help them live out their faith Mondays to Fridays. Divided into three parts, the first section is entitled ‘From a garden to a city’; the second looks at some of the Old Testament heroes and goes on to reflect on Jesus and how Christians today have sought to implement the teaching of Jesus in the workplace; while the third section deals with some is very down-to-earth issues such as how hard we should we work along with money matters. At the end of each chapter there’s a summary of the key principles. This is a good book for ministers to commend to their people.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height: 150%; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 7.5pt 0cm 7.5pt 0cm;\" class=\"MsoNormal\" data-mce-style=\"line-height: 150%; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 7.5pt 0cm 7.5pt 0cm;\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"more-8148\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: #202020;\" data-mce-style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: #202020;\"\u003e\u003ca style=\"-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;\" href=\"https:\/\/paulbeasleymurray.us12.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=a45b3e6fc109e00f067477a28\u0026amp;id=802455cdc0\u0026amp;e=3cc647e01f\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/paulbeasleymurray.us12.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=a45b3e6fc109e00f067477a28\u0026amp;id=802455cdc0\u0026amp;e=3cc647e01f\" data-mce-style=\"-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Aptos; color: #007c89;\" data-mce-style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Aptos; color: #007c89;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-10-30T11:34:29+00:00","created_at":"2024-10-30T11:33:41+00:00","vendor":"Chris Gillies","type":"eBook","tags":["2024","Discipleship","For individuals","Glassboxx","Mission"],"price":1299,"price_min":1299,"price_max":1299,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":53604918854012,"title":"eBook","option1":"eBook","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800392403","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"On the Way to Work: A Christian approach to thinking differently about success and fulfillment - eBook","public_title":"eBook","options":["eBook"],"price":1299,"weight":316,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800392403","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/335.png?v=1730980338","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/336.png?v=1730980354"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/335.png?v=1730980338","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":63001490096508,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/335.png?v=1730980338"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/335.png?v=1730980338","width":1303},{"alt":null,"id":63001493504380,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/336.png?v=1730980354"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/336.png?v=1730980354","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eDoes your work give you a sense of purpose? How do you feel when work serves up difficulties and problems? How do we work well? Is there a God, and might God have something to say about the way we work? Weaving together biblical perspectives with academic research and his own experiences of working in different settings, Chris Gillies lays the theological foundation for work, moves on to examining biblical role models from both Old and New Testaments, and concludes by exploring common issues we wrestle with in our work, from money matters or managing and leading others to knowing if we’re in the right job or simply doing the right thing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/zocoSqG4BN4?si=wpDl7TTQSwymPIW1\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChris Gillies\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWith thirty years’ experience of working at director level in financial services, Chris Gillies has also served on the boards of four different churches and ten UK charities including Westminster Theological Centre and The Children’s Society. He is Chair of Council for Stewardship and Treasurer for LICC.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5 data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘There’s new thinking here, hammered out on the anvil of a long, demanding, and successful career at the highest corporate levels through prayerful reflection, biblical engagement and careful analysis. Chris Gillies offers us a rich understanding of God’s purposes for humankind, framing his approach to work on the dynamic springboard of the life, character and work of Jesus, and on the ongoing empowering of the Holy Spirit for everyday work. This is a book that anyone at any level could profit from. Bravo. And thank you.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eMark Greene, mission champion, The London Institute for Contemporary Christianity (LICC)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Christians just don’t think enough about work and the way work is changing. On the Way to Work is a treasure trove of deep insight from the scriptures and a mine of good advice from a seasoned practitioner. Chris Gillies’ insights are honed from many years’ experience and will be lifegiving for all kinds of people in different roles and occupations.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eSteven Croft, bishop of Oxford\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘On the Way to Work paints a reframing vision of how we can approach our working lives as worship. Such a brilliant handbook for how to approach the world of work with a kingdom-first mindset. Equipping, affirming and inspiring. I can’t wait for Monday!’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eCaragh Bennet, cofounder and CEO, ZENA\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Chris Gillies combines values with brilliant business acumen. He is one of the few people I pause to think “what would Chris do” and, most importantly, how. I’ve been lucky enough for Chris to have been my professional mentor since working together at Zurich. This book offers the opportunity for everyone to experience his wisdom and guidance, helping you choose how to spend your energy and achieve your aspirations, with morals at the forefront of decisions and actions.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eKathryn Axcell-Steele, head of brand and integrated marketing, Wesleyan Assurance Society\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Chris Gillies offers a rich and rare combination of biblical wisdom, practical insight and personal experience that will inspire Christians to think differently about their work and its significance. My hope and prayer is that Christians and other readers will learn from Chris and the compelling vision he sets forth in this book.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eMatt Lynch, associate professor of Old Testament, Regent College\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘This important book is insightful and inspiring, and full of invaluable, real-life examples of leaders navigating the world of work. Anyone who is keen to discover how to best deploy their influence for the kingdom of God will find much here to guide them through their careers.’\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStephen Foster, rector, St Aldates, Oxford, and advisor, Alpha UK\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e‘A theology of work and a work of theology. Over many years of treasured friendship, Chris Gillies both demonstrated to me and challenged me to see that the call of God, the vocation of the Christian, is not limited to ordained ministers and foreign missionaries, but rests upon all who follow Jesus and all who are sent to serve the king and his kingdom in every sphere of life and work.’\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSimon Ponsonby, pastor of theology, St Aldates, Oxford\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e‘\u003c\/em\u003eThis book will expand your vision of what a deeply fruitful and successful life looks like. A central premise of the book is that our work matters to God and God really does matter to our work. With that as a robust foundation, Chris Gillies tackles many layers of the implications of what that means for our frontline work, time, money, decision making, relationships; in essence, our whole lives!’\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNess Wilson, leader, Pioneer UK\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e‘This is a remarkable book, and you should read it. In these pages,\u003cbr\u003eChris Gillies illuminates a path to work that is not only distinctive but\u003cbr\u003ealso the way of Jesus and of the kingdom of God. If you let this book\u003cbr\u003edo its work, it will change you – for good. Chris has crafted a work\u003cbr\u003ethat is truly transformative – a powerful journey towards personal\u003cbr\u003eand spiritual growth.’\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaul Woolley, chief executive, The London Institute for\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContemporary Christianity (LICC)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e‘This is a timely book on the importance of work – what we do, how we\u003cbr\u003edo it and most importantly why work is part of God’s plan for what it\u003cbr\u003emeans to be human. Chris Gillies brings together years of experience,\u003cbr\u003ea biblical framework and lots of helpful illustrations in a very readable\u003cbr\u003eand accessible style.’\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeter Lynas, UK director, Evangelical Alliance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘This is quite simply the best book I have read about the interrelationship between Christian faith and our working lives for a very long time. Chris Gillies repeatedly illustrates wise practical advice with telling anecdotes from his own experience, covering many different topics, acknowledging the value of different perspectives and sharing maturely what God has taught him along the way.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eRichard Higginson, former director and chair, Faith in Business\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your career, this book has something invaluable to offer. It masterfully combines the wisdom of years of experience with practical advice, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking God’s calling on their life and true success in their work.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eReuben Coulter, senior advisor, Faith Driven Investor and partner, Ignis Advisory\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘This is a book that has been over 40 years in the writing and its depth and insights reflect the journey of a man who has set his sights on bringing kingdom influence to the highest level of businesses.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eNic Harding, director, Kairos Connexion and Together for the Harvest\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Chris Gillies writes a wonderfully practical and thoughtful book that speaks powerfully about what it means to engage in the world of work in a distinctively Christian way. He constructs a brilliant, thorough and nuanced analysis that challenges the oft-prevailing and unhelpful narrative of the sacred–secular divide, and offers beautifully crafted autobiographical, theological and academic reflections to suggest an alternative mode of being for operating as a Christian in the workplace.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eCatherine Delve, CEO, Resurgam Asset Management Limited; chair of trustees, Bridge the Gap Football\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5 data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFaith in Business Quarterly (vol 23.2). Review by David Steinegger\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e‘On the way to work, do you look forward to your day? Does it give you a sense of purpose?’ So begins the introduction to Chris Gillies’ book. \u003ci\u003eOn the Way to Work \u003c\/i\u003eprovides a refreshing perspective on the theology of work, gives examples of some of the great biblical role models, offers practical insights into working through many of the common issues we face, and is enriched with examples from Chris’ own experience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe book is structured into three parts. The first part brings a theological perspective which starts in the Garden of Eden, continues through the redemption story and ends in the eternal city in Revelation. I appreciated how this section connects God’s great story for humankind with our stories and reminds us that our lives in our workplaces truly matter. The second part of the book highlights some of the great characters in the Old Testament and God’s anointing in their ‘workplaces’. It then moves on to the life of Christ and the characteristics of his redemptive approach. Part three, the largest section of the book, focuses on common issues we face in the workplace. This section starts with an insightful Christian worldview perspective, reminding us that there is no sacred-secular divide, and that God is profoundly interested in all of our lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eIn part three, Chris goes on to look at some real workplace issues, with biblical and practical insights to tackle them. For example, his chapter on ‘How do I know if I’m in the right job’ gives a scriptural base to address this question, together with practical pointers. Here he encourages readers to loosen their grip on a calling to do a specific job, and rather pursue their life’s mission. This will be helpful for many. I would add that at times God speaks very specifically into our career decisions through scripture, the holy spirit’s guidance and the voice of others. He tackles another real issue in the chapter ‘Balancing the big five’ – describing the challenge of the big five calls on our time – our relationship with God, family, work, community and rest and leisure. In reflecting on this, I was reminded that God has set eternity in our hearts (Eccl 3:11) and if we can live each day with this promise, and the challenge in mind, then we can come to a place of truly flourishing in our lives as Kingdom people – and this is much more precious than gold!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe 290 pages can at first feel a little overwhelming. But I devoured the book on two long haul flights, being stimulated by the three-cord strand of biblical theology, practical insight and great examples from Chris’ many years of experience in the workplace. The summaries at the end of each chapter are helpful, as are each chapter’s questions for personal reflection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eIt would have been helpful if the book had also explored the biblical basis and importance of having wise mentors or coaches: ‘Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.’ (Proverbs 11:14). I have found wise Christian mentors to be a great blessing on my journey in many workplaces across multiple countries and cultures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eI would also like to have seen a template in the book summarising some of the more practical learning points which are interspersed throughout the book. Perhaps a workbook could follow!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eAppropriately, the book ends with a chapter on ‘the prize for running well.’ We are called to be faithful with the gifts and abilities that God has given us. We are reminded that our wok in the here and now foreshadows a new kind of redeemed work after Jesus returns. And here’s a great challenge that Chris presents: we have the opportunity to anticipate that future time by modelling it in the present and living it now for the glory of God and service to humanity!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eWe are called to be kingdom people in our workplaces – and in whatever we do, to work at it with all our hearts, as working for the Lord. Having a God-given sense of purpose in our days is essential if we are to live fulfilled lives. This book offers helpful pointers to living a purposeful life and is a great addition to the library of all who are seeking to be faithful, fruitful and fulfilled in their workplaces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eDavid Steinegger holds a number of non-executive positions, is a people builder, a church leader, and a trustee of several charities, including Wycliffe Bible Translators UK, which he chairs.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 21.07.24. Review by Eve Poole\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThis new book on work from Chris Gillies benefits from his lifetime of working in the financial-services sector. He has spent more than 40 years in finance, working in many different markets, particularly for Zurich Insurance; and has more than 30 years’ experience as a board member of various charities, including the Children’s Society and the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity. His book synthesises his own rich experience of work with his research and with perspectives from the Bible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eWhat sold the book to me was that it was described as 'quite simply the best book I have read about the interrelationship between Christian faith and our working lives for a very long time' by Richard Higginson. As the founder of Faith in Business, he is the oracle in this field, because he has read every book ever written on the subject. So, on this glowing recommendation, I dived straight in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe book itself is very readable, with a handy summary section and points for reflection at each chapter end. Part I focuses on the basics, such as using the Bible, addressing selfishness, being fruitful, and the need to keep a focus on God’s work throughout. Part II covers “Biblical role models” from Joseph to Jesus, and profiles forgotten heroes, such as Boaz as the model employer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003ePart III tackles a range of knotty topics, from money to ethical decision-making, in which my favourite chapter was on “Balancing the Big Five”. It asks some sharp questions about work-life balance. His Big Five are: time with God, time with family, work time (paid or unpaid), time building community, and time for rest, leisure, and exercise. He encourages readers to analyse how they are spending their time across these activities, to identify where time spent may be out of kilter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eI also really appreciated his wise words on vocation: 'the key to finding your special God-given calling is to loosen your grip on the idea that God is calling you to do a specific job.' Charles Eve once called this yearning for the certainty of a highlighted job advert our desire to 'grab the steering wheel' instead of letting God drive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eGillies likewise reminds us to look with soft eyes on the totality of our mission in life, to discern where our work and any particular job fits into the whole. Given that the world of work these days is very non-linear, this is sage advice. At the end of the book, Gillies recommends that we make use of a period of retreat to take stock of our work, to recommit ourselves to our vocation in its totality, and to listen for what God might be saying to us about what we should do next.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eDr Eve Poole writes on theology, economics, and leadership.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCPAS Lead on newsletter review June 2024. Review by Mike Duff\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eSt Paul charges the Philippians, as citizens of heaven, to live utterly different lives to the Roman citizens around them. With 30 years' experience in top-level corporate leadership, Chris Gillies delivers the same powerful challenge to Christians immersed in the culture of their working life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e'The idea God was as interested in my work as he was in the way I did church... that God might have work for me to do at my workplace didn't really occur to me. My understanding of why God mattered to my daily work was virtually non-existent.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eAs at home in the Bible as the workplace, Chris addresses this autobiographical question through four basic themes: how it all started; the problem of selfishness; what it means to be fruitful; where we are heading. Elements of the salvation story are carefully worked out as they apply not in church, home or individual discipleship but in our working life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eNext, he explores with penetrating insight some obvious biblical role models - Joseph, Jethro, Daniel and others - and less obviously how Jesus approached his own redeeming work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe longest section applies biblical discipleship themes to the workplace: What is the prevailing workplace worldview and how might we confront and change it? Am I in the right job? How can we do we do the right thing and adopt a godly lifestyle amid pressures to conform? How do we balance the major claims on our time when work demands everything? How would Jesus have us handle money and lead others? What is our true reward for working well?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003ePreachers will recognise in this outstanding resource many familiar insights but applied with a clarity, insight and authority ew will have achieved. Those whose work is outside the church will find themselves challenged by God's intimate and relentless concern with their working life. Church leaders will be given a profound insight into the world of work and how to shape the life of the church so that it connects with this vital 'frontline'.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Mike Duff, CPAS Patronage Secretary\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eRichard Frost, writer and blogger: \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/workrestpray.com\/\" data-mce-href=\"http:\/\/workrestpray.com\/\"\u003eworkrestpray.com\u003c\/a\u003e. 1 June 2024\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eBooks providing a Christian perspective on work can at times feel as rare as hearing a sermon on the topic. So, Chris Gillies' offering is a welcome contribution and one which I looked forward to reading.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eI spent most of my professional career helping people with their work and also supporting businesses and organisations in caring for staff. I even wrote a book about it myself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eChris Gillies brings a wealth of experience from senior management positions in financial sector businesses and charitable organisations. This, combined with insight from his faith and biblical knowledge, and observations from others (most notably Mark Greene, well known for his own work in this field) provides a strong base on which to build.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eGillies explores the nature of work from Genesis through Old Testament examples such as Joseph and Daniel and the core characteristics Jesus demonstrates for us to aspire to. The author also includes a number of examples of businesses adopting a godly approach towards people, practice and profit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eIts pages are full of well-rehearsed biblical insights and familiar business-speak which will resonate particularly with those with similar faith perspectives and senior leadership experience. For this reviewer, I would have liked to have seen more content which relates to the vast majority of those who find themselves on the way to work: the ones who don't occupy well-paid, high-level, influential roles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eNevertheless, for those who wish to explore this important aspect of life (and one which, for many, occupies a considerable amount of it of it) it is a thought-provoking read.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Richard Frost, a former employment specialist, and the author of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/life-with-st-benedict-the-rule-re-imagined-for-everyday-living\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/life-with-st-benedict-the-rule-re-imagined-for-everyday-living\"\u003eLife with St Benedict\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/richardfrostauthor.com\/\" data-mce-href=\"http:\/\/richardfrostauthor.com\/\"\u003efour other books\u003c\/a\u003e. Richard writes a blog at \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/workrestpray.com\/\" data-mce-href=\"http:\/\/workrestpray.com\/\"\u003eworkrestpray.com\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBooks for Today April 2024. Paul Beasley-Murray\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eOn the way to work: A Christian approach to thinking differently about success and fulfilment \u003c\/em\u003eby Chris Gillies, who is the treasurer of the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity, is intended for all those who are at work, to help them live out their faith Mondays to Fridays. Divided into three parts, the first section is entitled ‘From a garden to a city’; the second looks at some of the Old Testament heroes and goes on to reflect on Jesus and how Christians today have sought to implement the teaching of Jesus in the workplace; while the third section deals with some is very down-to-earth issues such as how hard we should we work along with money matters. At the end of each chapter there’s a summary of the key principles. This is a good book for ministers to commend to their people.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height: 150%; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 7.5pt 0cm 7.5pt 0cm;\" class=\"MsoNormal\" data-mce-style=\"line-height: 150%; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 7.5pt 0cm 7.5pt 0cm;\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"more-8148\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: #202020;\" data-mce-style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: #202020;\"\u003e\u003ca style=\"-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;\" href=\"https:\/\/paulbeasleymurray.us12.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=a45b3e6fc109e00f067477a28\u0026amp;id=802455cdc0\u0026amp;e=3cc647e01f\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/paulbeasleymurray.us12.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=a45b3e6fc109e00f067477a28\u0026amp;id=802455cdc0\u0026amp;e=3cc647e01f\" data-mce-style=\"-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Aptos; color: #007c89;\" data-mce-style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Aptos; color: #007c89;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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{"id":14779622293884,"title":"The Word's Out: Principles and strategies for effective evangelism today","handle":"the-words-out-principles-and-strategies-for-effective-evangelism-today-1","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eAt a time of declining church attendance, this book challenges us to understand that evangelism is more important than ever. The problem is that churches and their leaders often struggle with the idea and concepts around evangelism, unsure of what might be theologically or culturally appropriate ways to communicate the message.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book aims to supply principles and strategies for evangelism that are theologically rooted, practical and relevant to the 21st century. It shows how Jesus and the early church did evangelism and what we can learn from them for our situations. There is lots of practical help from two experienced practitioners to develop an evangelistic strategy for your church. It will also encourage leaders at every level of the church to be leaders and enablers in evangelism. The approach is theologically rigorous and powerfully practical, with the focus on redefining a genuine biblical evangelism. It will help you put foundations in place for developing a sustainable strategy in your church so that you can connect not just with those on the fringes but with those who are way outside.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/hMRfuxfMzqc\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" frameborder=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a fantastic resource, packed with theology, wisdom and practical action about how we can help more people discover the fantastic good news of the gospel. I commend it with enthusiasm.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eMark Russell, Chief Executive, Church Army\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is a treasure store for church leaders who yearn to see the gospel reach our land anew, giving rich biblically rooted guidance on what sort of evangelism is appropriate for our age.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Rt Revd Dr John Inge, Bishop of Worcester and Chair of the College of Evangelists\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvangelism is one of those words that seem to have become one of those embarrassing topics of conversations in recent times. I am delighted that Dave Male and Paul Weston have taken the opportunity to challenge the perceptions about evangelism and to encourage and equip people for the task of being Good News today.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Revd Dr Joanne Cox, Evangelism in Contemporary Culture Officer, The Methodist Church\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEssential reading for all those who want to see authentic evangelism back at the heart of the church.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eCanon Nick Cuthbert, founder Riverside Church, Birmingham\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe need all the help we can get to help ordinary people from all sorts of churches enjoy sharing their faith: bring it on!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eLucy Moore, Messy Church Team Leader at BRF\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA welcome contribution to a vital issue - the emergence of a contextually appropriate form of evangelism that empowers congregations to share good news in their communities.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eStuart Murray Williams, missiologist and founder of Urban Expression\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs someone who has been involved in church planting over a couple of decades now, there is no doubt in my mind that God's Church needs to rediscover the ability and Holy Spirit anointing in evangelism. My hope is that this book not only encourages us to share our faith but also to more fully understand its imperative.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eMajor Andrew Vertigan, Salvation Army Mission Partner, Planting\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the book I wish had been written ten years ago. It makes sense of evangelism in today's world, and offers a thoughtful, engaging, and provocative exploration of why and how we might play our part in God's work of evangelism.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eJames Lawrence, Leadership Principal, CPAS\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is such a helpful book on one of the most crucially needed areas for this time from two people with the integrity to make it real and doable. Read it and action it and release the Word about the Kingdom!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eFuzz Kitto, International Church Consultant, Sydney Australia\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDave and Paul took a risk writing this. Books that mention the 'E' word simply don't sell as much as those which don't, yet what they have to say is vital for the future of the church, a practical call for all people to engage contextually with the greatest news this world has been graced with. Read it and be inspired.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eRevd Chris Duffett, Founder of The Light Project and President of the Baptist Union of Great Britain \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe two authors have tapped a rich vein of Biblical and historic insights to come up with a book that will both inform and inspire today's Christians to move away from some negative images of evangelism and engage in ways of inviting others to follow Jesus that will be both authentic to the Gospel and inspirational in a 21st century context.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eJohn Drane, Affiliate Professor of New Testament \u0026amp; Practical Theology at Fuller Seminary, USA, and an Associate Missioner of Fresh Expressions\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat does healthy evangelism look like in the West today, so that it remains true to the heart of evangelism but appropriate for our world? This book contributes a much-needed voice of clarity and good Biblical sense to the current conversation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eJohn Bowen, Professor of Evangelism \u0026amp; Director of the Institute of Evangelism, Toronto\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Revd Dr Paul Weston teaches mission studies at Ridley Hall, Cambridge and is an affiliated lecturer in the Cambridge University Divinity Faculty. A member of the Archbishops' College of Evangelists, he has led over a hundred missions in parishes and universities both here and abroad. He has written widely on gospel and culture issues, most recently as co-editor of Theology in Missionary Perspective: Lesslie Newbigin's Legacy (Wipf \u0026amp; Stock, 2012).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Revd David Male is Director of the Centre for Pioneer Learning and Tutor in Pioneer Mission Training at Ridley Hall and Westcott House, Cambridge, and Fresh Expressions Adviser for Ely Diocese. A member of the Archbishops' College of Evangelists, he has also written Church Unplugged and contributed to books on church planting and fresh expressions, including \u003cem\u003ePioneers 4 Life\u003c\/em\u003e (BRF, 2011) which he edited.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader, Winter 2019\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith a foreword by the current Archbishop of Canterbury, this book has timely advice for any church seeking fresh thoughts and ideas for gospel outreach. It immediately reminds us that evangelism is not an abstract concept but ‘the natural overflow of an authentic Christian life’, and that it must be ‘the instinctive sharing of good news’. Jesus’ ministry, the authors remind us, reached people because they were amazed at his life and actions (Mark 1.27). This book is not primarily a source of practical ideas, but a thought provoking re-examination of principles, and thus most useful as background reading within a ministry team planning a church’s gospel outreach. The study is thoroughly based on an intelligent reading of the NT accounts of (especially) Jesus’ dealings with individuals, and the examination of Paul’s sermon in Athens is also particularly interesting. The text includes a useful analysis of such initiatives as the Billy Graham crusades of the 1950s and the contemporary Alpha phenomenon. However, it is interesting that gospel initiatives perceived as successful were mostly ineffective in reaching people with no prior connection with any church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Richard Carter\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBaptist Times online 26.02.19. Review by t\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ehe Revd Dr Martin M'Caw\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSome books are written for a specific readership, be they historians, railway buffs, music lovers or whatever. The target readership for\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Word's Out\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis the Christian world at large. Its purpose is to stimulate evangelism as an integral part of the Christian life and as the Archbishop of Canterbury states in his foreword, the authors 'have performed a service to the church.'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Word's Out\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis far from being a dull teach yourself text book. It's a warm, enthusiastic presentation of 'principles and strategies for effective evangelism today.' In doing so there is a historic summary of evangelism in terms of the big evangelistic campaigns of Moody and Sankey in the 19th century or Billy Graham in the 20th, when most men and women in the street had a smattering of Christian knowledge, in stark contrast to our contemporary second and third generation unchurched society.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe authors present a pattern of evangelism that is rooted in the ministry of Jesus and the activities of the New Testament church. They recognise there is a role for the specialist evangelist, but the key to the heart of evangelism has to flow from ministers whose role is necessarily pastor\/evangelist, teacher\/evangelist leading and encouraging their church members to grow in their love for the Lord so that evangelism becomes not 'a stand alone activity distinct from the rest of discipleship but that natural overflow of an authentic Christian life.'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe encouragement to develop evangelism as an integral part of discipleship is well set in the over-used context of post-modern society which has 'a wider cultural phenomenon of institutional dislocation.' Paul Weston's analysis is that contemporary society is not so much secular as one in which 'belief is drifting away from orthodoxy...disconnected without an anchor' to a smorgasbord of religious and world views.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a book which encourages Christians to go with the flow in the love of God, stimulating the passion and drive to grow in the Lord, and looking to help overcome their crises in confidence when talking about the faith. It's an encouragement for fellowships that are demographically challenged by dwindling numbers and a wake-up call to those Christians who only come to church to be fed with a three course sermon.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a book for every Christian. Have you heard? The word's out so let's get on with it, to be it and do it so that our evangelism really becomes part of our daily discipleship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by the Revd Dr Martin M'Caw, retired Baptist minister and Wing Chaplain no 2 Welsh Wing RAF Cadets\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e______________________________________________\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Irish Methodist Newsletter, April\/May 2019. Review by Stephen Skuce, Director of Global Relationships, The British Methodist Church\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is, I think, the most readable introduction on the understanding and practice of evangelism from a British perspective currently available. It covers in sufficient rather than obsessive detail how we got to our current state, what an understanding of evangelism looks like, how the Bible views evangelism, and how we engage in evangelism today. Throughout good research is engaged with, but not allowed to turn the text into an academic treatise. Questions at the end of each chapter make this a very useful tool for a home group. This book is really well done.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDave Male is the Director of Evangelism for the Church of England and Paul Weston leads the Newbigin Centre at Cambridge. Often the weakness of such a background for a Methodist reader is an Anglican assumption of what is the norm and then the need for us to translate to our own context. Male and Weston avoid this and have produced a book that is very accessible across the swath of British Christianity. There is a need for further thinking on some of the contexts in the Republic of Ireland, and thankfully that is starting to emerge from some associated with new churches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are a couple of highlights for me in this revised text from the 2013 original. Male considers five main epochs in evangelism in Britain over the past 100 years moving through the 1910 Edinburgh missionary conference, the 1945 Anglican evangelism initiative, Billy Graham's 1954 visit, rise of Alpha from 1990 and the role of Stormzy from 2018. I imagine most Irish Methodists are fine with three of these eras, perhaps a bit hazy about the Anglican initiative after World War Two, and blank about Stormzy. And if so, its our lack of awareness of what the urban rap artist Stormzy's understanding of faith means today that examples our partial dislocation from wider society. Look him up at\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/stormzy.com\/\"\u003ehttps:\/\/stormzy.com\/\u003c\/a\u003e. Billy Graham he is not, but is an example of a very challenging contemporary understanding and outworking of faith.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeston's chapter on witnessing from the inside out looks at the way Jesus brought the challenge of full commitment to God out of ordinary circumstances and conversational situations, whereas we more often attempt to insert faith a bit artificially into conversation and can end up arguing for 'Four Spiritual Laws' and the like. This type of expression of the gospel worked well up to recently, however the language of such an approach is increasingly alien to most, but increasingly such an approach is also viewed as inauthentic. Weston points us to the more natural stuff of life that Jesus engaged in as the authentic context for conversations about faith, commitment and discipleship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a fine book, even if the title is a tad quirky. After reading this, well worth going on to Irish Methodism's Billy Abraham and his\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eLogic of Evangelism\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003efor a more abstract level of thinking. Let's learn from others, that we might better communicate our faith with those around us today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003eRevd Dr Stephen Skuce,\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003eDirector of Global Relationships, The British Methodist Church\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e_______________________________________________\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Magazine - Diocese of Norwich July-August 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA challenging book in which the authors acknowledge that whilst there is a lot of missional language being used in the church today this might be masking a diminishing confidence and increasing hesitancy about evangelism. Examining New Testament writers' views, they cite the evangelism of the early church as a natural consequence of discipleship, with followers possessing an instinctive sharing of the good news.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaybe this could be the model to reverse declining numbers and engage with an increasing majority who have no interest in church activities and a language that is increasingly foreign in a postmodern secular culture?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSteve Foyster\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Word's Out: Speaking the Gospel Today\u003c\/em\u003e, by David Male and Paul Weston. Weston and Male represent the thoughtful and creative edge of the contemporary English 'fresh expressions' movement. They have a long record in serious theological reflection and sustained personal evangelistic practice. Unlike many evangelistic efforts in the United States, which are obsessed with the church's loss of cultural status, this book works with a sober recognition of how insignificant such matters are to the church in the United Kingdom, just as they are to the church in the United States and Canada.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Patrick R. Keifert, The Christian Century\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e_______________________________________________\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-10-30T10:15:56+00:00","created_at":"2024-10-30T10:14:57+00:00","vendor":"David Male","type":"eBook","tags":["Glassboxx","Jan-19","Mission"],"price":999,"price_min":999,"price_max":999,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":53604804886908,"title":"eBook","option1":"eBook","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857468178","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"The Word's Out: Principles and strategies for effective evangelism today - eBook","public_title":"eBook","options":["eBook"],"price":999,"weight":201,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857468178","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/285.png?v=1730980277","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/286.png?v=1730980358"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/285.png?v=1730980277","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":63001476301180,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/285.png?v=1730980277"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/285.png?v=1730980277","width":1303},{"alt":null,"id":63001494389116,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/286.png?v=1730980358"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/286.png?v=1730980358","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eAt a time of declining church attendance, this book challenges us to understand that evangelism is more important than ever. The problem is that churches and their leaders often struggle with the idea and concepts around evangelism, unsure of what might be theologically or culturally appropriate ways to communicate the message.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book aims to supply principles and strategies for evangelism that are theologically rooted, practical and relevant to the 21st century. It shows how Jesus and the early church did evangelism and what we can learn from them for our situations. There is lots of practical help from two experienced practitioners to develop an evangelistic strategy for your church. It will also encourage leaders at every level of the church to be leaders and enablers in evangelism. The approach is theologically rigorous and powerfully practical, with the focus on redefining a genuine biblical evangelism. It will help you put foundations in place for developing a sustainable strategy in your church so that you can connect not just with those on the fringes but with those who are way outside.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/hMRfuxfMzqc\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" frameborder=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a fantastic resource, packed with theology, wisdom and practical action about how we can help more people discover the fantastic good news of the gospel. I commend it with enthusiasm.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eMark Russell, Chief Executive, Church Army\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is a treasure store for church leaders who yearn to see the gospel reach our land anew, giving rich biblically rooted guidance on what sort of evangelism is appropriate for our age.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Rt Revd Dr John Inge, Bishop of Worcester and Chair of the College of Evangelists\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvangelism is one of those words that seem to have become one of those embarrassing topics of conversations in recent times. I am delighted that Dave Male and Paul Weston have taken the opportunity to challenge the perceptions about evangelism and to encourage and equip people for the task of being Good News today.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Revd Dr Joanne Cox, Evangelism in Contemporary Culture Officer, The Methodist Church\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEssential reading for all those who want to see authentic evangelism back at the heart of the church.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eCanon Nick Cuthbert, founder Riverside Church, Birmingham\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe need all the help we can get to help ordinary people from all sorts of churches enjoy sharing their faith: bring it on!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eLucy Moore, Messy Church Team Leader at BRF\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA welcome contribution to a vital issue - the emergence of a contextually appropriate form of evangelism that empowers congregations to share good news in their communities.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eStuart Murray Williams, missiologist and founder of Urban Expression\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs someone who has been involved in church planting over a couple of decades now, there is no doubt in my mind that God's Church needs to rediscover the ability and Holy Spirit anointing in evangelism. My hope is that this book not only encourages us to share our faith but also to more fully understand its imperative.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eMajor Andrew Vertigan, Salvation Army Mission Partner, Planting\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the book I wish had been written ten years ago. It makes sense of evangelism in today's world, and offers a thoughtful, engaging, and provocative exploration of why and how we might play our part in God's work of evangelism.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eJames Lawrence, Leadership Principal, CPAS\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is such a helpful book on one of the most crucially needed areas for this time from two people with the integrity to make it real and doable. Read it and action it and release the Word about the Kingdom!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eFuzz Kitto, International Church Consultant, Sydney Australia\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDave and Paul took a risk writing this. Books that mention the 'E' word simply don't sell as much as those which don't, yet what they have to say is vital for the future of the church, a practical call for all people to engage contextually with the greatest news this world has been graced with. Read it and be inspired.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eRevd Chris Duffett, Founder of The Light Project and President of the Baptist Union of Great Britain \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe two authors have tapped a rich vein of Biblical and historic insights to come up with a book that will both inform and inspire today's Christians to move away from some negative images of evangelism and engage in ways of inviting others to follow Jesus that will be both authentic to the Gospel and inspirational in a 21st century context.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eJohn Drane, Affiliate Professor of New Testament \u0026amp; Practical Theology at Fuller Seminary, USA, and an Associate Missioner of Fresh Expressions\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat does healthy evangelism look like in the West today, so that it remains true to the heart of evangelism but appropriate for our world? This book contributes a much-needed voice of clarity and good Biblical sense to the current conversation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eJohn Bowen, Professor of Evangelism \u0026amp; Director of the Institute of Evangelism, Toronto\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Revd Dr Paul Weston teaches mission studies at Ridley Hall, Cambridge and is an affiliated lecturer in the Cambridge University Divinity Faculty. A member of the Archbishops' College of Evangelists, he has led over a hundred missions in parishes and universities both here and abroad. He has written widely on gospel and culture issues, most recently as co-editor of Theology in Missionary Perspective: Lesslie Newbigin's Legacy (Wipf \u0026amp; Stock, 2012).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Revd David Male is Director of the Centre for Pioneer Learning and Tutor in Pioneer Mission Training at Ridley Hall and Westcott House, Cambridge, and Fresh Expressions Adviser for Ely Diocese. A member of the Archbishops' College of Evangelists, he has also written Church Unplugged and contributed to books on church planting and fresh expressions, including \u003cem\u003ePioneers 4 Life\u003c\/em\u003e (BRF, 2011) which he edited.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader, Winter 2019\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith a foreword by the current Archbishop of Canterbury, this book has timely advice for any church seeking fresh thoughts and ideas for gospel outreach. It immediately reminds us that evangelism is not an abstract concept but ‘the natural overflow of an authentic Christian life’, and that it must be ‘the instinctive sharing of good news’. Jesus’ ministry, the authors remind us, reached people because they were amazed at his life and actions (Mark 1.27). This book is not primarily a source of practical ideas, but a thought provoking re-examination of principles, and thus most useful as background reading within a ministry team planning a church’s gospel outreach. The study is thoroughly based on an intelligent reading of the NT accounts of (especially) Jesus’ dealings with individuals, and the examination of Paul’s sermon in Athens is also particularly interesting. The text includes a useful analysis of such initiatives as the Billy Graham crusades of the 1950s and the contemporary Alpha phenomenon. However, it is interesting that gospel initiatives perceived as successful were mostly ineffective in reaching people with no prior connection with any church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Richard Carter\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBaptist Times online 26.02.19. Review by t\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ehe Revd Dr Martin M'Caw\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSome books are written for a specific readership, be they historians, railway buffs, music lovers or whatever. The target readership for\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Word's Out\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis the Christian world at large. Its purpose is to stimulate evangelism as an integral part of the Christian life and as the Archbishop of Canterbury states in his foreword, the authors 'have performed a service to the church.'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Word's Out\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis far from being a dull teach yourself text book. It's a warm, enthusiastic presentation of 'principles and strategies for effective evangelism today.' In doing so there is a historic summary of evangelism in terms of the big evangelistic campaigns of Moody and Sankey in the 19th century or Billy Graham in the 20th, when most men and women in the street had a smattering of Christian knowledge, in stark contrast to our contemporary second and third generation unchurched society.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe authors present a pattern of evangelism that is rooted in the ministry of Jesus and the activities of the New Testament church. They recognise there is a role for the specialist evangelist, but the key to the heart of evangelism has to flow from ministers whose role is necessarily pastor\/evangelist, teacher\/evangelist leading and encouraging their church members to grow in their love for the Lord so that evangelism becomes not 'a stand alone activity distinct from the rest of discipleship but that natural overflow of an authentic Christian life.'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe encouragement to develop evangelism as an integral part of discipleship is well set in the over-used context of post-modern society which has 'a wider cultural phenomenon of institutional dislocation.' Paul Weston's analysis is that contemporary society is not so much secular as one in which 'belief is drifting away from orthodoxy...disconnected without an anchor' to a smorgasbord of religious and world views.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a book which encourages Christians to go with the flow in the love of God, stimulating the passion and drive to grow in the Lord, and looking to help overcome their crises in confidence when talking about the faith. It's an encouragement for fellowships that are demographically challenged by dwindling numbers and a wake-up call to those Christians who only come to church to be fed with a three course sermon.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a book for every Christian. Have you heard? The word's out so let's get on with it, to be it and do it so that our evangelism really becomes part of our daily discipleship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by the Revd Dr Martin M'Caw, retired Baptist minister and Wing Chaplain no 2 Welsh Wing RAF Cadets\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e______________________________________________\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Irish Methodist Newsletter, April\/May 2019. Review by Stephen Skuce, Director of Global Relationships, The British Methodist Church\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is, I think, the most readable introduction on the understanding and practice of evangelism from a British perspective currently available. It covers in sufficient rather than obsessive detail how we got to our current state, what an understanding of evangelism looks like, how the Bible views evangelism, and how we engage in evangelism today. Throughout good research is engaged with, but not allowed to turn the text into an academic treatise. Questions at the end of each chapter make this a very useful tool for a home group. This book is really well done.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDave Male is the Director of Evangelism for the Church of England and Paul Weston leads the Newbigin Centre at Cambridge. Often the weakness of such a background for a Methodist reader is an Anglican assumption of what is the norm and then the need for us to translate to our own context. Male and Weston avoid this and have produced a book that is very accessible across the swath of British Christianity. There is a need for further thinking on some of the contexts in the Republic of Ireland, and thankfully that is starting to emerge from some associated with new churches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are a couple of highlights for me in this revised text from the 2013 original. Male considers five main epochs in evangelism in Britain over the past 100 years moving through the 1910 Edinburgh missionary conference, the 1945 Anglican evangelism initiative, Billy Graham's 1954 visit, rise of Alpha from 1990 and the role of Stormzy from 2018. I imagine most Irish Methodists are fine with three of these eras, perhaps a bit hazy about the Anglican initiative after World War Two, and blank about Stormzy. And if so, its our lack of awareness of what the urban rap artist Stormzy's understanding of faith means today that examples our partial dislocation from wider society. Look him up at\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/stormzy.com\/\"\u003ehttps:\/\/stormzy.com\/\u003c\/a\u003e. Billy Graham he is not, but is an example of a very challenging contemporary understanding and outworking of faith.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeston's chapter on witnessing from the inside out looks at the way Jesus brought the challenge of full commitment to God out of ordinary circumstances and conversational situations, whereas we more often attempt to insert faith a bit artificially into conversation and can end up arguing for 'Four Spiritual Laws' and the like. This type of expression of the gospel worked well up to recently, however the language of such an approach is increasingly alien to most, but increasingly such an approach is also viewed as inauthentic. Weston points us to the more natural stuff of life that Jesus engaged in as the authentic context for conversations about faith, commitment and discipleship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a fine book, even if the title is a tad quirky. After reading this, well worth going on to Irish Methodism's Billy Abraham and his\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eLogic of Evangelism\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003efor a more abstract level of thinking. Let's learn from others, that we might better communicate our faith with those around us today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003eRevd Dr Stephen Skuce,\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003eDirector of Global Relationships, The British Methodist Church\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e_______________________________________________\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Magazine - Diocese of Norwich July-August 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA challenging book in which the authors acknowledge that whilst there is a lot of missional language being used in the church today this might be masking a diminishing confidence and increasing hesitancy about evangelism. Examining New Testament writers' views, they cite the evangelism of the early church as a natural consequence of discipleship, with followers possessing an instinctive sharing of the good news.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaybe this could be the model to reverse declining numbers and engage with an increasing majority who have no interest in church activities and a language that is increasingly foreign in a postmodern secular culture?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSteve Foyster\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Word's Out: Speaking the Gospel Today\u003c\/em\u003e, by David Male and Paul Weston. Weston and Male represent the thoughtful and creative edge of the contemporary English 'fresh expressions' movement. They have a long record in serious theological reflection and sustained personal evangelistic practice. Unlike many evangelistic efforts in the United States, which are obsessed with the church's loss of cultural status, this book works with a sober recognition of how insignificant such matters are to the church in the United Kingdom, just as they are to the church in the United States and Canada.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Patrick R. Keifert, The Christian Century\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e_______________________________________________\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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The Word's Out: Principles and strategies for effective evangelism today
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{"id":14779524055420,"title":"Engaging the Word","handle":"engaging-the-word-1","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003ePeter Phillips is convinced that the church in the West is not devouring the Bible or meditating on the word as it should, and therefore is spiritually malnourished and failing to thrive. Engaging the Word will transform the Bible engagement habits of Christian disciples, improving the health of the church by opening up new opportunities for drawing on God's word and new life as a result.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEngaging the Word sets out what biblical literacy means and what it looks like in our contemporary culture, exploring the benefits of biblical literacy for those who follow Jesus and for Christian leaders as local theologians and preachers. It also presents a series of practical explorations of the role of the Bible, which help us to reach up to God, reach in to develop our own identity in Christ and reach out to others.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eContents\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Bible and the word of God\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBiblical literacy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe mediated Bible\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDiscipleship and the Bible\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReaching up: spirituality\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReaching in: congregational well-being\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReaching out: engaging the world\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat a gift of a book! Peter Phillips seems to hold out the Bible to us afresh, drawing us back to the power and grace of the word of God. In this accessible book, he brings vast learning and deep understanding to explore our modern Christian engagement with the Bible. There is challenge and insight for all here, and those who read it will come out enriched, challenged, and inspired to re-engage more deeply with God's word. I shall be recommending this to everyone!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Mark Tanner, Bishop of Berwick \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis thought-provoking book explores the question of what place the Bible does and should have in Christian discipleship. It combines helpful in-depth thinking with an easy to read accessible style and is well worth a read for anyone reflecting on patterns of Christian discipleship in the 21st century.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Paula Gooder Theologian in Residence at the Bible Society \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this book Pete Philips takes seriously God, the church and the Bible. In doing so there is a challenge for each us as we face the most pressing question facing the church today - how do we share our experience of God? Pete offers grounded ways in which the Good News can be encountered afresh and offered to the world.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Gareth Powell Secretary of the Methodist Conference \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEngaging the Word is a must for individual disciples and Christian communities. Here in this book, Pete Phillips uses theology, history and practical wisdom to show why. From the first disciples to the digital disciples of the 21st century there is much to learn.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e David Wilkinson, The Principal, St Johns College, Durham University \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/PeterPhillips_480x480.jpg?v=1676496974\" width=\"269\" height=\"359\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRevd Dr Peter Phillips is a Methodist minister and Director of CODEC, a research centre housed at St John's College, Durham University. For many years, he served as New Testament Tutor on the staff of Cliff College. He has a great interest in the New Testament and in communicating the faith in a digital age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePreach Magazine (Summer 2018). Review by Alan Rashleigh\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo save readers from becoming stressed by trying to understand the subtitle, Peter has very helpfully opened his introduction with the words: 'This book is about the relationship between the reading of the Bible and following Jesus'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLater he asks the question, 'Can we be better Christians by engaging more with the Bible?' The fundamental purpose of the bible is surely to inspire mere mortals to aspire to be more like our Saviour and to follow in his footsteps. The problem comes because many people are unfamiliar with biblical language, as it is couched in terms not in everyday use. Hence the purpose of this book is to understand what the Bible is really about, and how we should use it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is a call to action. It looks at how, by engaging with the Bible, our understanding of our journey in the Christian life will be transformed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are similar books which seek to achieve the same objectives, mainly by exhorting their readers to follow the instructions laid down in the Bible. This book is different, and to some may seem to be controversial. It argues that the Bible is not a rule book or instruction manual, rather it is a guide to enable followers to 'crank up' their own engines of Christian discipleship, with a few additives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book explores biblical literacy (engagement with the Word of God) and discipleship (engagement with the world). This is not surprising as Peter was a tutor at Cliff College, and among his other 'duties' was encouraging students to engage with the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe uses examples of the writings of Augustine, Aldred and Erasmus, as well as the way in which mystery plays have helped people understand biblical stories. Being a Methodist, it would be remiss of Peter not to have included passages written by John Wesley too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book also explores what it means to engage with the Word of God in a world where contemporary communication is focused on the digital.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a well-written, readable book which provides practical advice to those reading the Bible who want to put what they have read to practical use in the world. It is in itself 'engaging' and very worthwhile reading,\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Alan Rashleigh\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReform Magazine (February 2018). Review by Robert Pope, Director of Studies in Church History and Doctrine at Westminster College, Cambridge\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat place does the Bible have in renewing Christian witness in the 21\u003csup\u003est\u003c\/sup\u003e century? This book has two basic premises. First, biblical literacy has declined, resulting not only in a lack of biblical knowledge but also in an inability to identify the biblical references which are deeply embedded in western culture. Second, biblical literacy comes not through reading in isolation alone but by reading with others in prayerful discernment of God's address to us today. The first claim is supported by survey findings and, if true - the author suggests - renders the church impotent. The second is supported by appealing to theologians - including Wesley, Bonhoeffer, von Balthasar and Hauerwas - and it inspires the proclamation of the gospel in deed as well as in word. It also results in 'noticing the presence of the word everywhere we look'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChristianity, the author argues, possesses a message that cannot be jettisoned in favour of a superficial appeal to the contemporary zeitgeist. Phillips reminds us of the need for shared community values, inspired by the collective hearing of God's word, rather than any quest for personal fulfilment alone. Only this, Phillips believes, can offer redemption to a world increasingly characterised by narratives of destruction through terrorism, violence, displacement, isolation and fragmentation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders might feel they know much of this. They might regret that advice on practical implementation comes rather late, and is, perhaps, a little muted. But as the United Reformed Church moves forward with its vision of missional discipleship and its 'Walking the Way: Living the life of Jesus today' emphasis, this book might offer a challenge and an inspiration, as well as a resource, to proclaim the Gospel afresh in our day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Robert Pope, Director of Studies in Church History and Doctrine at Westminster College, Cambridge\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Thomas Creedy (blogger)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI'm reviewing a book by a former lecturer and friend, Peter Phillips, known by many as the Director of CODEC in Durham. This book blends two passions of Pete's that I share - biblical literacy and Christian discipleship. \u003cem\u003eEngaging the Word: Biblical literacy and Christian discipleship\u003c\/em\u003e is a hidden gem of a book, bringing together Pete's wide learning, statistics, and a fierce commitment to the Bible. This is a book well worth reading - and spending time with. This book helpfully does three things - gives us a potted understanding of what the Bible is, who is reading it, and why it matters. Let me start with a quote, slightly shortened:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'\u003cem\u003eThe Bible, Webster said, is 'the vessel which bears God's majestic presence'. Recall too that Augustine had used a similar image: 'Scripture is the vehicle that God provides for us to travel to our true home along the road established by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. In the Bible, God comes to address us, to invite us into relationship with him.\u003c\/em\u003e''\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePete begins with a couple of great chapters - The Bible and the word of God and Biblical literacy - that serve as a sort of roadmap for where he's coming from. Throughout both of these chapters, there is a real excitement about the Bible, and the possibilities that come in the Christian life from reading and engaging with it. Pete calls the Bible 'the engine for Christian discipleship', and this is a really helpful image in my mind. Of course, the Bible is more than this (but surely not less than this), and Pete walks us through this and three other understandings of what the Bible 'is'. Having given us a sense of what the Bible is, we turn to the tricky concept of biblical literacy, and without spoiling the book his suggestions are thoroughgoingly Trinitarian, church-oriented and dynamic. This is not just head knowledge - the Bible challenges Christian disciples to be transformed - and this is made clear throughout. Having set the scene with two very helpful chapters (the first is a brilliant explanation in reasonably normal English as to what the Bible is, the latter distilling a complex discussion into a simple output), Pete moves on to two chapters about the way we use the Bible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChapter three, 'The mediated Bible'\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003eis a careful look at how Christians (and others) have engaged with the Bible over time. Pete walks us through a sort of print time machine, looking at key folk in church history and how they engaged with the Bible. We think about 'The Didache' (an early Christian text), Augustine, Aldred, the mystery plays, Erasmus, and Wesley. This chapter makes for an intriguing overview, helping today's reader to root practices of Bible engagement in the past, and also providing food for thought in the way we might approach the Bible today. Chapter four, 'Discipleship and the Bible', is one of the best bits of recent writing on that topic that I've read. Rooted in the words of the Bible, and taking the imagery of the Disciples on the way to Emmaus, Pete makes a strong and passionate case for not just having the Bible as a central part of our discipleship, but thinking about soaking ourselves in it, marinating in it like meat before cooking. With helpful lessons from von Balthasar and Bonhoeffer, Pete encourages us to move from passive to active faith, with the Bible as a key part of that. With this in mind, we readers approach the final part of the book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe final three chapters of 'Engaging the Word' cover the three aspects of discipleship that Pete wants to bring the Bible to bear on: reaching up (spirituality), reaching in (congregational well-being) and reaching out (engaging the world). Key to all of this - and a theme that comes through throughout the book - is community. Or, as Pete puts it, quoting Stanley Hauerwas;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'\u003cem\u003e'\u003c\/em\u003eA place where God is forming a family out of strangers'. That language resonates with the models of discipleship from Bonhoeffer and von Balthasar: the sense that we become disciples by sharing together in small groups, in communities, learning from one another, becoming friends and family, as we eat and drink and be together. Learning through open commensality, by opening ourselves up to one another and allowing God's word to\u003cem\u003e soak us in his presence\u003c\/em\u003e' From this place - this Bible-drenched community - flows the outpouring of discipleship. Woven in amongst these final three chapters is a deeply biblical emphasis on community and doing the stuff of the Kingdom of God - with some helpful practical suggestions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall, then, this is a brilliant book. Pete wears his learning lightly, brings together statistics and concepts in a way that makes a lot of sense, and offers us some excellent practical suggestions. If, like me, you are about to start (or do already) leading a small group, this is a great book to read to shape your thinking. If you are interested in Biblical literacy, or what Christians think of the Bible, then this is a book that is well worth reading. For those involved in church leadership of any kind, even if it feels more practical and less Bible-y than you might like, this is a helpful book to remind us where the engine is, how it works, and why we need to use it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Thomas Creedy.\u003c\/em\u003e https:\/\/www.thomascreedy.com\/book-review-engaging-the-word\/\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-10-30T09:32:52+00:00","created_at":"2024-10-30T09:31:48+00:00","vendor":"Peter M. Phillips","type":"eBook","tags":["Biblical engagement","For churches","Glassboxx","Mission","Oct-17"],"price":799,"price_min":799,"price_max":799,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":53604757012860,"title":"eBook","option1":"eBook","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857465863","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Engaging the Word - eBook","public_title":"eBook","options":["eBook"],"price":799,"weight":201,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857465863","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/275.png?v=1730980385","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/276.png?v=1730980325"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/275.png?v=1730980385","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":63001501565308,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/275.png?v=1730980385"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/275.png?v=1730980385","width":1303},{"alt":null,"id":63001486819708,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/276.png?v=1730980325"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/276.png?v=1730980325","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003ePeter Phillips is convinced that the church in the West is not devouring the Bible or meditating on the word as it should, and therefore is spiritually malnourished and failing to thrive. Engaging the Word will transform the Bible engagement habits of Christian disciples, improving the health of the church by opening up new opportunities for drawing on God's word and new life as a result.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEngaging the Word sets out what biblical literacy means and what it looks like in our contemporary culture, exploring the benefits of biblical literacy for those who follow Jesus and for Christian leaders as local theologians and preachers. It also presents a series of practical explorations of the role of the Bible, which help us to reach up to God, reach in to develop our own identity in Christ and reach out to others.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eContents\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Bible and the word of God\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBiblical literacy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe mediated Bible\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDiscipleship and the Bible\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReaching up: spirituality\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReaching in: congregational well-being\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReaching out: engaging the world\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat a gift of a book! Peter Phillips seems to hold out the Bible to us afresh, drawing us back to the power and grace of the word of God. In this accessible book, he brings vast learning and deep understanding to explore our modern Christian engagement with the Bible. There is challenge and insight for all here, and those who read it will come out enriched, challenged, and inspired to re-engage more deeply with God's word. I shall be recommending this to everyone!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Mark Tanner, Bishop of Berwick \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis thought-provoking book explores the question of what place the Bible does and should have in Christian discipleship. It combines helpful in-depth thinking with an easy to read accessible style and is well worth a read for anyone reflecting on patterns of Christian discipleship in the 21st century.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Paula Gooder Theologian in Residence at the Bible Society \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this book Pete Philips takes seriously God, the church and the Bible. In doing so there is a challenge for each us as we face the most pressing question facing the church today - how do we share our experience of God? Pete offers grounded ways in which the Good News can be encountered afresh and offered to the world.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Gareth Powell Secretary of the Methodist Conference \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEngaging the Word is a must for individual disciples and Christian communities. Here in this book, Pete Phillips uses theology, history and practical wisdom to show why. From the first disciples to the digital disciples of the 21st century there is much to learn.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e David Wilkinson, The Principal, St Johns College, Durham University \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/PeterPhillips_480x480.jpg?v=1676496974\" width=\"269\" height=\"359\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRevd Dr Peter Phillips is a Methodist minister and Director of CODEC, a research centre housed at St John's College, Durham University. For many years, he served as New Testament Tutor on the staff of Cliff College. He has a great interest in the New Testament and in communicating the faith in a digital age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePreach Magazine (Summer 2018). Review by Alan Rashleigh\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo save readers from becoming stressed by trying to understand the subtitle, Peter has very helpfully opened his introduction with the words: 'This book is about the relationship between the reading of the Bible and following Jesus'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLater he asks the question, 'Can we be better Christians by engaging more with the Bible?' The fundamental purpose of the bible is surely to inspire mere mortals to aspire to be more like our Saviour and to follow in his footsteps. The problem comes because many people are unfamiliar with biblical language, as it is couched in terms not in everyday use. Hence the purpose of this book is to understand what the Bible is really about, and how we should use it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is a call to action. It looks at how, by engaging with the Bible, our understanding of our journey in the Christian life will be transformed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are similar books which seek to achieve the same objectives, mainly by exhorting their readers to follow the instructions laid down in the Bible. This book is different, and to some may seem to be controversial. It argues that the Bible is not a rule book or instruction manual, rather it is a guide to enable followers to 'crank up' their own engines of Christian discipleship, with a few additives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book explores biblical literacy (engagement with the Word of God) and discipleship (engagement with the world). This is not surprising as Peter was a tutor at Cliff College, and among his other 'duties' was encouraging students to engage with the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe uses examples of the writings of Augustine, Aldred and Erasmus, as well as the way in which mystery plays have helped people understand biblical stories. Being a Methodist, it would be remiss of Peter not to have included passages written by John Wesley too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book also explores what it means to engage with the Word of God in a world where contemporary communication is focused on the digital.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a well-written, readable book which provides practical advice to those reading the Bible who want to put what they have read to practical use in the world. It is in itself 'engaging' and very worthwhile reading,\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Alan Rashleigh\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReform Magazine (February 2018). Review by Robert Pope, Director of Studies in Church History and Doctrine at Westminster College, Cambridge\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat place does the Bible have in renewing Christian witness in the 21\u003csup\u003est\u003c\/sup\u003e century? This book has two basic premises. First, biblical literacy has declined, resulting not only in a lack of biblical knowledge but also in an inability to identify the biblical references which are deeply embedded in western culture. Second, biblical literacy comes not through reading in isolation alone but by reading with others in prayerful discernment of God's address to us today. The first claim is supported by survey findings and, if true - the author suggests - renders the church impotent. The second is supported by appealing to theologians - including Wesley, Bonhoeffer, von Balthasar and Hauerwas - and it inspires the proclamation of the gospel in deed as well as in word. It also results in 'noticing the presence of the word everywhere we look'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChristianity, the author argues, possesses a message that cannot be jettisoned in favour of a superficial appeal to the contemporary zeitgeist. Phillips reminds us of the need for shared community values, inspired by the collective hearing of God's word, rather than any quest for personal fulfilment alone. Only this, Phillips believes, can offer redemption to a world increasingly characterised by narratives of destruction through terrorism, violence, displacement, isolation and fragmentation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders might feel they know much of this. They might regret that advice on practical implementation comes rather late, and is, perhaps, a little muted. But as the United Reformed Church moves forward with its vision of missional discipleship and its 'Walking the Way: Living the life of Jesus today' emphasis, this book might offer a challenge and an inspiration, as well as a resource, to proclaim the Gospel afresh in our day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Robert Pope, Director of Studies in Church History and Doctrine at Westminster College, Cambridge\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Thomas Creedy (blogger)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI'm reviewing a book by a former lecturer and friend, Peter Phillips, known by many as the Director of CODEC in Durham. This book blends two passions of Pete's that I share - biblical literacy and Christian discipleship. \u003cem\u003eEngaging the Word: Biblical literacy and Christian discipleship\u003c\/em\u003e is a hidden gem of a book, bringing together Pete's wide learning, statistics, and a fierce commitment to the Bible. This is a book well worth reading - and spending time with. This book helpfully does three things - gives us a potted understanding of what the Bible is, who is reading it, and why it matters. Let me start with a quote, slightly shortened:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'\u003cem\u003eThe Bible, Webster said, is 'the vessel which bears God's majestic presence'. Recall too that Augustine had used a similar image: 'Scripture is the vehicle that God provides for us to travel to our true home along the road established by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. In the Bible, God comes to address us, to invite us into relationship with him.\u003c\/em\u003e''\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePete begins with a couple of great chapters - The Bible and the word of God and Biblical literacy - that serve as a sort of roadmap for where he's coming from. Throughout both of these chapters, there is a real excitement about the Bible, and the possibilities that come in the Christian life from reading and engaging with it. Pete calls the Bible 'the engine for Christian discipleship', and this is a really helpful image in my mind. Of course, the Bible is more than this (but surely not less than this), and Pete walks us through this and three other understandings of what the Bible 'is'. Having given us a sense of what the Bible is, we turn to the tricky concept of biblical literacy, and without spoiling the book his suggestions are thoroughgoingly Trinitarian, church-oriented and dynamic. This is not just head knowledge - the Bible challenges Christian disciples to be transformed - and this is made clear throughout. Having set the scene with two very helpful chapters (the first is a brilliant explanation in reasonably normal English as to what the Bible is, the latter distilling a complex discussion into a simple output), Pete moves on to two chapters about the way we use the Bible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChapter three, 'The mediated Bible'\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003eis a careful look at how Christians (and others) have engaged with the Bible over time. Pete walks us through a sort of print time machine, looking at key folk in church history and how they engaged with the Bible. We think about 'The Didache' (an early Christian text), Augustine, Aldred, the mystery plays, Erasmus, and Wesley. This chapter makes for an intriguing overview, helping today's reader to root practices of Bible engagement in the past, and also providing food for thought in the way we might approach the Bible today. Chapter four, 'Discipleship and the Bible', is one of the best bits of recent writing on that topic that I've read. Rooted in the words of the Bible, and taking the imagery of the Disciples on the way to Emmaus, Pete makes a strong and passionate case for not just having the Bible as a central part of our discipleship, but thinking about soaking ourselves in it, marinating in it like meat before cooking. With helpful lessons from von Balthasar and Bonhoeffer, Pete encourages us to move from passive to active faith, with the Bible as a key part of that. With this in mind, we readers approach the final part of the book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe final three chapters of 'Engaging the Word' cover the three aspects of discipleship that Pete wants to bring the Bible to bear on: reaching up (spirituality), reaching in (congregational well-being) and reaching out (engaging the world). Key to all of this - and a theme that comes through throughout the book - is community. Or, as Pete puts it, quoting Stanley Hauerwas;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'\u003cem\u003e'\u003c\/em\u003eA place where God is forming a family out of strangers'. That language resonates with the models of discipleship from Bonhoeffer and von Balthasar: the sense that we become disciples by sharing together in small groups, in communities, learning from one another, becoming friends and family, as we eat and drink and be together. Learning through open commensality, by opening ourselves up to one another and allowing God's word to\u003cem\u003e soak us in his presence\u003c\/em\u003e' From this place - this Bible-drenched community - flows the outpouring of discipleship. Woven in amongst these final three chapters is a deeply biblical emphasis on community and doing the stuff of the Kingdom of God - with some helpful practical suggestions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall, then, this is a brilliant book. Pete wears his learning lightly, brings together statistics and concepts in a way that makes a lot of sense, and offers us some excellent practical suggestions. If, like me, you are about to start (or do already) leading a small group, this is a great book to read to shape your thinking. If you are interested in Biblical literacy, or what Christians think of the Bible, then this is a book that is well worth reading. For those involved in church leadership of any kind, even if it feels more practical and less Bible-y than you might like, this is a helpful book to remind us where the engine is, how it works, and why we need to use it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Thomas Creedy.\u003c\/em\u003e https:\/\/www.thomascreedy.com\/book-review-engaging-the-word\/\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Engaging the Word
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{"id":14779461534076,"title":"Changing the Climate: Applying the Bible in a climate emergency","handle":"changing-the-climate-applying-the-bible-in-a-climate-emergency-1","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eA series of Bible passages unpacked to show the Bible’s relevance to environmentalism, and how we can all play our part in limiting the negative effects of climate change.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe climate crisis is one of the most important issues of our time, threatening lives and livelihoods. The Bible teaches us that God the creator put humans on the Earth to take care of it; to show love to all, and to care for the poor and vulnerable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach of the twelve chapters looks at a particular Bible passage, connects it with climate action, poses questions and suggests practical steps that can be taken.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/Hawkerfamily1_480x480.jpg?v=1676496058\" width=\"216\" height=\"337\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Hawkers are a Christian family who are taking action for climate justice. Psychologists Debbie and David Hawker work with Tearfund and other campaign organisations. Their teenage son Jamie also campaigns on climate issues and is part of the ‘Green Agents of Change’ initiative within the Methodist Church.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003ePraise for \u003cem\u003eChanging the Climate\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘I wish this book had been available when my children were younger! It’s wise and informative yet wonderfully easy to read. It moves from the biblical to the practical, the local to the global, making the complex simple and succeeding in both being deeply challenging yet also life-affirming and hope-giving.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRevd Dr Dave Bookless, director of theology, A Rocha International and author of \u003cem\u003ePlanetwise\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Challenging, engaging and practical, this is a wonderful resource to journey through either individually or as a family. It provides all sort of ideas of how you can make a difference, and solid reasoning for the urgency of doing so. Read it and live it!’ \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSimon Guillebaud, author, speaker and international director for Great Lakes Outreach \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Jamie, Debbie and David have written a comprehensive and practical guide to help us navigate our way through the choices and complexities of living more lightly on the planet. I love the tips and links, the quotes, the clear and challenging Bible studies, and the deep dives into the science and theology. This is one of the best and most accessible books I have read on \u003cem\u003ewhy\u003c\/em\u003e Christians should care about climate change, and \u003cem\u003ewhat\u003c\/em\u003e we can do about it. This is a book to be read and shared with your family, friends and church.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCaroline Pomeroy, director, Climate Stewards\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘I love the fact that this book is global, intergenerational and intersectional in its scope, while still remaining accessible and full of hope. It presents a robust, biblical case for the need for Christians to engage with the work of climate justice and offers small and large ways in which this can happen. Most importantly, it provides a platform to hear from and celebrate young people who are striving to make a difference.’\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eLynne Norman, Methodist children, youth and family team\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘The Hawker family takes on climate change! Biblical insights drive them to take action on one of the most urgent issues of our time. This book is packed with hints and tips about how YOU can make a difference.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDr Martin Hodson, author, Oxford University lecturer and Principal Tutor for Christian Rural and Environmental Studies (CRES). \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘So often we hear the question, “But what can we do, and what if it doesn’t make a difference?” This easy-to-read book offers a guide to faith-filled, faithful action undertaken as part of our discipleship. Highly recommend.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRachel Mander, on behalf of Young Christian Climate Network\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘This is a remarkable, timely book on a fundamental remit of all Christians. As it takes a multilevel approach, from initial ideas to complex changes, it is really accessible to people of all ages and experiences. The mixture of stories, Bible studies, statistics and next steps keeps it readable and relatable. As a missionary, minister and parent who has home-educated for years, I can see so many uses for this resource – personal study\/challenge, family devotion, small group project, educational material – and I highly recommend it.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHannah Prosser, Assemblies of God GB mission team\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘This book is a wonderfully rich, engaging resource for meaningfully exploring and practically responding to one of \u003cem\u003ethe\u003c\/em\u003e most pressing issues of our time. It facilitates intergenerational reflection on a wide diversity of environmental concerns in ways that are informative and interesting, considered yet challenging, and bold while biblical. Jamie’s (very helpful) tips at the end of each chapter have really motivated our family to up our game in terms of creation care engagement!’ \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRichard and Louisa Evans,\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eEn Route Course facilitators, All Nations Christian College, UK\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Weaving together biblical insight, creative and accessible suggestions for taking action, and stories sourced from around the globe, this is rich resource for Christians of all ages wanting to engage with the climate crisis. Highly recommended.’ \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJo Swinney, head of communications, A Rocha International\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘As well as this work being packed with practical suggestions on what to do about climate change, it is refreshing to find biblical reflection on the environment which focuses not on the classically obvious passages about stewardship and respect for creation, but on many Bible texts which one would not normally associate with our responsibility towards the created world, such as the story of Jonah and the parable of the good Samaritan. This leads to such challenging questions as ‘Who is my neighbour in the climate emergency?’ Written by a mother who has not driven for 20 years, a father known as the Cycling Psychologist and a son who wants to be a train driver, this book brings lessons from those who know what they are talking about.’ \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMark Greenwood, Baptist Missionary Society World Mission, overseas team leader for South America and Sub-Saharan Africa\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘\u003cem\u003eChanging the Climate\u003c\/em\u003e is a comprehensive, challenging and highly practical book that uses the Bible well with latest scientific evidence stating the case for us all to be more engaged in addressing climate change. The chapters are easily accessible, offering practical tips of things we can do to embrace creation care, interspersed with contemporary global examples where people and nations are suffering because of the current crisis they are experiencing. With space for personal reflection throughout, this book will help individuals, groups and families learn, adapt and change their behaviours as together we tackle one of the key issues of our time.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePhil, director, AWM-Pioneers \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘The book challenges its readers to engage both spiritually and factually with one of the biggest challenges facing humanity in the 21st century. Its clever, interactive and logical style makes it attractive to all ages. I enjoyed that each chapter was divided into sections. This made it easier to read and also easier to refer back to as needed. I really enjoyed Jamie’s tips, which are full of interesting facts and easy steps that anyone can take as they journey to make their lifestyle more environmentally friendly. A very enjoyable and informative read.’ \u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSimone Formolo-Lockyer, Latin Link\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘An extremely thoughtful, well-written yet practical book. Accessible and useful for all ages of your family and your church. It relates having a Christian faith to taking an action on climate change. If you are a Christian (or even if you are not!) and you’d like to know what \u003cem\u003eyou\u003c\/em\u003e can actually do to help save our planet – then this is the book for you.’ \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRichard Jackson, youth leader\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Roger Day\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNearly 50 years ago as a young Christian journalist I was involved in writing about Christians living more simply, being less wasteful and finding joy in God’s beautiful earth. It was for a substantial section in \u003cem\u003eCrusade\u003c\/em\u003e magazine, produced by a group of us within the Evangelical Alliance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNow, all these decades later, Christians are yet again facing up to managing waste, reducing their carbon footprint and helping to save the planet. This time it’s become a genuine emergency.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis powerful book explores climate change and the need for action in clearly written sections: The problem; Why we should act; What we can do. Within each of these three sections there are chapters on such issues as Want, Hope in action, A time to plant and Mustard seeds (and young people) matter. Each chapter starts with two or three Bible passages and includes a brilliant section for deeper thinkers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDebbie and David Hawker are well respected psychologists with doctorates in the subject. Instead of producing an intellectual book, they have written in a clear, easy to understand style. Children and young people as well as adults are likely to find the book accessible as well as helpful and challenging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe third contributor is David and Debbie’s 14-year-old son, Jamie. At the end of each chapter there is a section called ‘Jamie’s tips’. He also writes a glossary of terms at the end of the book. His ideas are thoughtful and easily understood. Jamie is a fan of Greta Thunberg, the climate activist. Like her, he has been involved in actions for climate change. As a result of his efforts for the environment, his Christian family caught the enthusiasm and are now vocal advocates for such change.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis excellent book is great for use by individuals, families and church groups. It will be ideal for parents, teachers in primary and secondary schools and Christian youth leaders. It contains plenty of important scientific facts and has a comprehensive appendix on ways to understand climate change. Hopefully it will help to counter the fake news circulating in some Christian circles that climate change isn’t true. Sadly, a book with such detailed material lacks an index.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI strongly recommend \u003cem\u003eChanging the Climate.\u003c\/em\u003e It’s a very useful tool for people who have a deep concern about the future of our planet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Roger Day, retired psychotherapist and play therapist\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWendy Bebbington, creative director of Newenglish design agency\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'This is an easy to read book, clearly laid out - I'm reading it just for me, but can see how good it would be to use in groups. I love that teenager Jamie has taken some really smart actions that are inspiring me to think differently. It is packed with information and links that help me feel I can make changes and do things that will make a difference.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI really like how they intertwine the bible into the whole book in a way that is very natural and gives a fresh look at how we care for God's planet'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDr. Joel Callow, Zero Carbon Building Engineer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat an excellent guide for Christians wrestling with this most serious of modern subjects. Rooted in a clear-thinking, biblical world view, the Hawker family has a refreshingly positive and hopeful take on responding to climate change. They present the difficult reality without pulling their punches, illuminate this from the bible, then move on to practical steps we can take to make the future better than the present. Having read this for myself, I am now looking forward to reading it with my teenage children, and to choosing which of the many excellent charities they recommend to support as a family. Thank you Hawkers for writing a book of hope in challenging times.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/jri.org.uk\/hannah-gray-reviews-changing-the-climate-by-debbie-david-and-jamie-hawker\/\"\u003eThe John Rae Initiative (JRI) blog\u003c\/a\u003e. Review by Hannah Gray, June 2021\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a straight-talking, down-to-earth book written by a married couple and their teenage son. Debbie and David Hawker are psychologists who work with mission organisations and their son, Jamie, is a teenage climate activist. The book has two subtitles ‘Applying the Bible in a climate emergency’ and ‘A resource for families and churches’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach chapter profiles a different Christian charity working to alleviate the effects of climate change amongst vulnerable communities around the world and highlights an inspiring testimony from a young climate activist in diverse cultures and contexts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese real-life stories feature along the way, as the authors take the reader on a journey from the roots of the climate emergency, through the creation care narrative of the Bible, to the call for all Christians to wake up to the urgency and scale of action required. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eApplying the Bible in a climate emergency\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe writers frame the climate emergency problem around our spiritual condition, beginning Part 1 with two chapters (Waste and Want) that describe how our collective greed and wastefulness has created global environmental problems. In Part 2 they explain the Christian imperative for creation care, in four chapters organised around core Biblical themes of Faith, Love, Hope and Wisdom. The final section, Part 3 ‘What we can do?’, takes inspiration from scripture to suggest changes to travel and diet, to boost biodiversity, and to consider politics and protest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe whole book is grounded in scripture. Apparently, every book of the Bible is referenced somewhere in the text – but I will take their word for it! Each chapter begins with a Bible passage that has relevance to the topic addressed, and sometimes the authors offer a modern adaptation of the passage to suggest how it could read for society today. I found these climate-nuanced translations of familiar verses and parables particularly thought-provoking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is also grounded in science. Evidence is laid out from around the world to show how planet and people are suffering from climate change. The information is clear and accessible; the colourful diagrams, photos and ‘Did you know?’ boxes make the pages visually interesting as well as aiding comprehension. For those who want to dig deeper, there are boxes for ‘deep thinkers’, an appendix that explains the science of climate change, and another which sets out carbon emission and climate vulnerability data for different countries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA resource for families and churches\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChanging the climate spells out the urgency of the environmental problems we are all facing, whilst also making a compelling biblical case to take action. Yet the greatest strength is the practical ideas and tips listed at the end of each chapter. They range from quick and easy changes (eg re-use wrapping paper, be vegetarian once a week) to the more challenging lifestyle choices like how we heat our homes and whether to take a no-fly pledge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSmall groups could effectively journey together through the book, discussing issues highlighted in the green question boxes that punctuate the text. There are videos and websites mentioned in Appendix D for extra content in group study settings. Each chapter finishes with a box to write what you will attempt to do in the next month. Being accountable in a small group should be an effective tool for embedding change. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA humble tone and a brave attitude\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tone is informative, without being preachy, and encouraging, without being naïve. Importantly, the authors are humble, sharing what they could have done differently and how even determined eco-warriors can always do more. They acknowledge that individual change will not be enough to combat the climate emergency; there needs to be system change.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe chapter ‘Moving mountains: large scale action’ bravely faces up to contentious topics like nuclear power and population growth – ‘\u003cem\u003ehaving one less child would reduce greenhouse gases 75 times more than adopting a vegan diet\u003c\/em\u003e’. The controversial group Extinction Rebellion (XR) features as well: ‘\u003cem\u003emembers of XR have upset people, but so did Gandhi, civil rights activists, suffragettes and Jesus\u003c\/em\u003e’. I think sometimes as Christians we tiptoe around these issues and I appreciate the refreshing assertiveness found throughout the text.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book finishes with a reflection on 1 Corinthians 12, the Body of Christ, pointing out that some parts of the body are already suffering from climate change. They assert that each Christian needs to play their part towards a solution, whether that is praying, protesting, fundraising, innovating… what will your part be in fixing the climate emergency? This book offers plenty of inspiration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Hannah Gray for JRI\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry, winter 2022. Review by Roger Thornington\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book by the Hawker family – two clinical psychologists and their 14 year old son – is marketed as a ‘resource for families and churches considering climate change’. The book is designed as a workbook with three parts – ‘The problem’, ‘Why we should act’ and ‘What can we do?’ It concludes with five reference appendices and a glossary. All twelve chapters follow similar formats – a relevant Bible passage, a brief exposition and space to record your response. Options for action are reviewed – Extinction Rebellion is mentioned with approval, though with a caveat regarding its ethos. ‘Deep thinkers’ sections offer further details with some practical tips the authors have used. A brief thematic prayer is followed by related input from an organisation involved in addressing issues raised in the chapter, which concludes with ‘Jamie’s 12 tips for action’ and space to record your response. Does the book achieve the authors’ aim? Will you find it useful? I think families may benefit from reading it but for active ministers, I am not so sure. However, one thing is certain with climate change – doing nothing is not an option.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Roger Thornington\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-10-30T09:05:37+00:00","created_at":"2024-10-30T09:04:22+00:00","vendor":"Debbie Hawker","type":"eBook","tags":["Environmental issues","Glassboxx","Jun-21","Mission"],"price":999,"price_min":999,"price_max":999,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":53604730306940,"title":"eBook","option1":"eBook","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800390232","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Changing the Climate: Applying the Bible in a climate emergency - eBook","public_title":"eBook","options":["eBook"],"price":999,"weight":215,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800390232","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/265.png?v=1730980393","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/266.png?v=1730980323"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/265.png?v=1730980393","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":63001503400316,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/265.png?v=1730980393"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/265.png?v=1730980393","width":1303},{"alt":null,"id":63001486328188,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/266.png?v=1730980323"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/266.png?v=1730980323","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eA series of Bible passages unpacked to show the Bible’s relevance to environmentalism, and how we can all play our part in limiting the negative effects of climate change.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe climate crisis is one of the most important issues of our time, threatening lives and livelihoods. The Bible teaches us that God the creator put humans on the Earth to take care of it; to show love to all, and to care for the poor and vulnerable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach of the twelve chapters looks at a particular Bible passage, connects it with climate action, poses questions and suggests practical steps that can be taken.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/Hawkerfamily1_480x480.jpg?v=1676496058\" width=\"216\" height=\"337\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Hawkers are a Christian family who are taking action for climate justice. Psychologists Debbie and David Hawker work with Tearfund and other campaign organisations. Their teenage son Jamie also campaigns on climate issues and is part of the ‘Green Agents of Change’ initiative within the Methodist Church.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003ePraise for \u003cem\u003eChanging the Climate\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘I wish this book had been available when my children were younger! It’s wise and informative yet wonderfully easy to read. It moves from the biblical to the practical, the local to the global, making the complex simple and succeeding in both being deeply challenging yet also life-affirming and hope-giving.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRevd Dr Dave Bookless, director of theology, A Rocha International and author of \u003cem\u003ePlanetwise\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Challenging, engaging and practical, this is a wonderful resource to journey through either individually or as a family. It provides all sort of ideas of how you can make a difference, and solid reasoning for the urgency of doing so. Read it and live it!’ \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSimon Guillebaud, author, speaker and international director for Great Lakes Outreach \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Jamie, Debbie and David have written a comprehensive and practical guide to help us navigate our way through the choices and complexities of living more lightly on the planet. I love the tips and links, the quotes, the clear and challenging Bible studies, and the deep dives into the science and theology. This is one of the best and most accessible books I have read on \u003cem\u003ewhy\u003c\/em\u003e Christians should care about climate change, and \u003cem\u003ewhat\u003c\/em\u003e we can do about it. This is a book to be read and shared with your family, friends and church.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCaroline Pomeroy, director, Climate Stewards\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘I love the fact that this book is global, intergenerational and intersectional in its scope, while still remaining accessible and full of hope. It presents a robust, biblical case for the need for Christians to engage with the work of climate justice and offers small and large ways in which this can happen. Most importantly, it provides a platform to hear from and celebrate young people who are striving to make a difference.’\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eLynne Norman, Methodist children, youth and family team\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘The Hawker family takes on climate change! Biblical insights drive them to take action on one of the most urgent issues of our time. This book is packed with hints and tips about how YOU can make a difference.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDr Martin Hodson, author, Oxford University lecturer and Principal Tutor for Christian Rural and Environmental Studies (CRES). \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘So often we hear the question, “But what can we do, and what if it doesn’t make a difference?” This easy-to-read book offers a guide to faith-filled, faithful action undertaken as part of our discipleship. Highly recommend.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRachel Mander, on behalf of Young Christian Climate Network\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘This is a remarkable, timely book on a fundamental remit of all Christians. As it takes a multilevel approach, from initial ideas to complex changes, it is really accessible to people of all ages and experiences. The mixture of stories, Bible studies, statistics and next steps keeps it readable and relatable. As a missionary, minister and parent who has home-educated for years, I can see so many uses for this resource – personal study\/challenge, family devotion, small group project, educational material – and I highly recommend it.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHannah Prosser, Assemblies of God GB mission team\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘This book is a wonderfully rich, engaging resource for meaningfully exploring and practically responding to one of \u003cem\u003ethe\u003c\/em\u003e most pressing issues of our time. It facilitates intergenerational reflection on a wide diversity of environmental concerns in ways that are informative and interesting, considered yet challenging, and bold while biblical. Jamie’s (very helpful) tips at the end of each chapter have really motivated our family to up our game in terms of creation care engagement!’ \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRichard and Louisa Evans,\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eEn Route Course facilitators, All Nations Christian College, UK\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Weaving together biblical insight, creative and accessible suggestions for taking action, and stories sourced from around the globe, this is rich resource for Christians of all ages wanting to engage with the climate crisis. Highly recommended.’ \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJo Swinney, head of communications, A Rocha International\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘As well as this work being packed with practical suggestions on what to do about climate change, it is refreshing to find biblical reflection on the environment which focuses not on the classically obvious passages about stewardship and respect for creation, but on many Bible texts which one would not normally associate with our responsibility towards the created world, such as the story of Jonah and the parable of the good Samaritan. This leads to such challenging questions as ‘Who is my neighbour in the climate emergency?’ Written by a mother who has not driven for 20 years, a father known as the Cycling Psychologist and a son who wants to be a train driver, this book brings lessons from those who know what they are talking about.’ \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMark Greenwood, Baptist Missionary Society World Mission, overseas team leader for South America and Sub-Saharan Africa\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘\u003cem\u003eChanging the Climate\u003c\/em\u003e is a comprehensive, challenging and highly practical book that uses the Bible well with latest scientific evidence stating the case for us all to be more engaged in addressing climate change. The chapters are easily accessible, offering practical tips of things we can do to embrace creation care, interspersed with contemporary global examples where people and nations are suffering because of the current crisis they are experiencing. With space for personal reflection throughout, this book will help individuals, groups and families learn, adapt and change their behaviours as together we tackle one of the key issues of our time.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePhil, director, AWM-Pioneers \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘The book challenges its readers to engage both spiritually and factually with one of the biggest challenges facing humanity in the 21st century. Its clever, interactive and logical style makes it attractive to all ages. I enjoyed that each chapter was divided into sections. This made it easier to read and also easier to refer back to as needed. I really enjoyed Jamie’s tips, which are full of interesting facts and easy steps that anyone can take as they journey to make their lifestyle more environmentally friendly. A very enjoyable and informative read.’ \u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSimone Formolo-Lockyer, Latin Link\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘An extremely thoughtful, well-written yet practical book. Accessible and useful for all ages of your family and your church. It relates having a Christian faith to taking an action on climate change. If you are a Christian (or even if you are not!) and you’d like to know what \u003cem\u003eyou\u003c\/em\u003e can actually do to help save our planet – then this is the book for you.’ \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRichard Jackson, youth leader\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Roger Day\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNearly 50 years ago as a young Christian journalist I was involved in writing about Christians living more simply, being less wasteful and finding joy in God’s beautiful earth. It was for a substantial section in \u003cem\u003eCrusade\u003c\/em\u003e magazine, produced by a group of us within the Evangelical Alliance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNow, all these decades later, Christians are yet again facing up to managing waste, reducing their carbon footprint and helping to save the planet. This time it’s become a genuine emergency.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis powerful book explores climate change and the need for action in clearly written sections: The problem; Why we should act; What we can do. Within each of these three sections there are chapters on such issues as Want, Hope in action, A time to plant and Mustard seeds (and young people) matter. Each chapter starts with two or three Bible passages and includes a brilliant section for deeper thinkers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDebbie and David Hawker are well respected psychologists with doctorates in the subject. Instead of producing an intellectual book, they have written in a clear, easy to understand style. Children and young people as well as adults are likely to find the book accessible as well as helpful and challenging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe third contributor is David and Debbie’s 14-year-old son, Jamie. At the end of each chapter there is a section called ‘Jamie’s tips’. He also writes a glossary of terms at the end of the book. His ideas are thoughtful and easily understood. Jamie is a fan of Greta Thunberg, the climate activist. Like her, he has been involved in actions for climate change. As a result of his efforts for the environment, his Christian family caught the enthusiasm and are now vocal advocates for such change.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis excellent book is great for use by individuals, families and church groups. It will be ideal for parents, teachers in primary and secondary schools and Christian youth leaders. It contains plenty of important scientific facts and has a comprehensive appendix on ways to understand climate change. Hopefully it will help to counter the fake news circulating in some Christian circles that climate change isn’t true. Sadly, a book with such detailed material lacks an index.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI strongly recommend \u003cem\u003eChanging the Climate.\u003c\/em\u003e It’s a very useful tool for people who have a deep concern about the future of our planet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Roger Day, retired psychotherapist and play therapist\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWendy Bebbington, creative director of Newenglish design agency\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'This is an easy to read book, clearly laid out - I'm reading it just for me, but can see how good it would be to use in groups. I love that teenager Jamie has taken some really smart actions that are inspiring me to think differently. It is packed with information and links that help me feel I can make changes and do things that will make a difference.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI really like how they intertwine the bible into the whole book in a way that is very natural and gives a fresh look at how we care for God's planet'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDr. Joel Callow, Zero Carbon Building Engineer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat an excellent guide for Christians wrestling with this most serious of modern subjects. Rooted in a clear-thinking, biblical world view, the Hawker family has a refreshingly positive and hopeful take on responding to climate change. They present the difficult reality without pulling their punches, illuminate this from the bible, then move on to practical steps we can take to make the future better than the present. Having read this for myself, I am now looking forward to reading it with my teenage children, and to choosing which of the many excellent charities they recommend to support as a family. Thank you Hawkers for writing a book of hope in challenging times.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/jri.org.uk\/hannah-gray-reviews-changing-the-climate-by-debbie-david-and-jamie-hawker\/\"\u003eThe John Rae Initiative (JRI) blog\u003c\/a\u003e. Review by Hannah Gray, June 2021\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a straight-talking, down-to-earth book written by a married couple and their teenage son. Debbie and David Hawker are psychologists who work with mission organisations and their son, Jamie, is a teenage climate activist. The book has two subtitles ‘Applying the Bible in a climate emergency’ and ‘A resource for families and churches’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach chapter profiles a different Christian charity working to alleviate the effects of climate change amongst vulnerable communities around the world and highlights an inspiring testimony from a young climate activist in diverse cultures and contexts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese real-life stories feature along the way, as the authors take the reader on a journey from the roots of the climate emergency, through the creation care narrative of the Bible, to the call for all Christians to wake up to the urgency and scale of action required. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eApplying the Bible in a climate emergency\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe writers frame the climate emergency problem around our spiritual condition, beginning Part 1 with two chapters (Waste and Want) that describe how our collective greed and wastefulness has created global environmental problems. In Part 2 they explain the Christian imperative for creation care, in four chapters organised around core Biblical themes of Faith, Love, Hope and Wisdom. The final section, Part 3 ‘What we can do?’, takes inspiration from scripture to suggest changes to travel and diet, to boost biodiversity, and to consider politics and protest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe whole book is grounded in scripture. Apparently, every book of the Bible is referenced somewhere in the text – but I will take their word for it! Each chapter begins with a Bible passage that has relevance to the topic addressed, and sometimes the authors offer a modern adaptation of the passage to suggest how it could read for society today. I found these climate-nuanced translations of familiar verses and parables particularly thought-provoking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is also grounded in science. Evidence is laid out from around the world to show how planet and people are suffering from climate change. The information is clear and accessible; the colourful diagrams, photos and ‘Did you know?’ boxes make the pages visually interesting as well as aiding comprehension. For those who want to dig deeper, there are boxes for ‘deep thinkers’, an appendix that explains the science of climate change, and another which sets out carbon emission and climate vulnerability data for different countries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA resource for families and churches\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChanging the climate spells out the urgency of the environmental problems we are all facing, whilst also making a compelling biblical case to take action. Yet the greatest strength is the practical ideas and tips listed at the end of each chapter. They range from quick and easy changes (eg re-use wrapping paper, be vegetarian once a week) to the more challenging lifestyle choices like how we heat our homes and whether to take a no-fly pledge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSmall groups could effectively journey together through the book, discussing issues highlighted in the green question boxes that punctuate the text. There are videos and websites mentioned in Appendix D for extra content in group study settings. Each chapter finishes with a box to write what you will attempt to do in the next month. Being accountable in a small group should be an effective tool for embedding change. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA humble tone and a brave attitude\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tone is informative, without being preachy, and encouraging, without being naïve. Importantly, the authors are humble, sharing what they could have done differently and how even determined eco-warriors can always do more. They acknowledge that individual change will not be enough to combat the climate emergency; there needs to be system change.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe chapter ‘Moving mountains: large scale action’ bravely faces up to contentious topics like nuclear power and population growth – ‘\u003cem\u003ehaving one less child would reduce greenhouse gases 75 times more than adopting a vegan diet\u003c\/em\u003e’. The controversial group Extinction Rebellion (XR) features as well: ‘\u003cem\u003emembers of XR have upset people, but so did Gandhi, civil rights activists, suffragettes and Jesus\u003c\/em\u003e’. I think sometimes as Christians we tiptoe around these issues and I appreciate the refreshing assertiveness found throughout the text.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book finishes with a reflection on 1 Corinthians 12, the Body of Christ, pointing out that some parts of the body are already suffering from climate change. They assert that each Christian needs to play their part towards a solution, whether that is praying, protesting, fundraising, innovating… what will your part be in fixing the climate emergency? This book offers plenty of inspiration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Hannah Gray for JRI\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry, winter 2022. Review by Roger Thornington\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book by the Hawker family – two clinical psychologists and their 14 year old son – is marketed as a ‘resource for families and churches considering climate change’. The book is designed as a workbook with three parts – ‘The problem’, ‘Why we should act’ and ‘What can we do?’ It concludes with five reference appendices and a glossary. All twelve chapters follow similar formats – a relevant Bible passage, a brief exposition and space to record your response. Options for action are reviewed – Extinction Rebellion is mentioned with approval, though with a caveat regarding its ethos. ‘Deep thinkers’ sections offer further details with some practical tips the authors have used. A brief thematic prayer is followed by related input from an organisation involved in addressing issues raised in the chapter, which concludes with ‘Jamie’s 12 tips for action’ and space to record your response. Does the book achieve the authors’ aim? Will you find it useful? I think families may benefit from reading it but for active ministers, I am not so sure. However, one thing is certain with climate change – doing nothing is not an option.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Roger Thornington\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Changing the Climate: Applying the Bible in a climate emergency
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{"id":14779354382716,"title":"Vibrant Christianity in Multifaith Britain: Equipping the church for a faithful engagement with people of different faiths","handle":"vibrant-christianity-in-multifaith-britain-equipping-the-church-for-a-faithful-engagement-with-people-of-different-faiths-1","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eEquipping the church for a faithful engagement with people of different faiths. \u003c\/strong\u003eVibrant Christianity in Multi-Faith Britain is an accessible and thought-provoking approach that encourages readers to think seriously about how we live out our faith in an increasingly multi-faith society. Whether we meet people of different faiths or just hear about them in the media, this book will give Christians confidence to express our faith in a religiously diverse world. Drawing on scripture and the author's many years of experience, the book challenges preconceptions and offers practical advice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eContents\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhat do we think of other faiths?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA different question\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThem and us?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe great commission\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDoing dialogue\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBeing peacemakers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCultural issues\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe church: reaching out and welcoming in\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the book I wish had been available when I first started to think about engaging with other faiths. Andrew is a safe guide to this rewarding and necessary aspect of contemporary Christian discipleship. He offers his long experience, godly wisdom and theological depth worn lightly in the stories and reflections that will amuse, reassure, but most of all inspire us to the best practice.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Revd Dr Richard Sudworth, Priest in Charge at Christchurch Sparkbrook \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf 'proclamation evangelism' and 'diaconal service' are badly in need of a biblical redefinition; and if the two need to be synthesised into one cohesive whole that's organic and relational, then this is a 'must-read' about what the non-negotiable ingredients are; how they ideally blend together and what it could look like in practice.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Steve Bell, Author, speaker, Director of Interserve in Gt Britain \u0026amp; Ireland \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'Vibrant Christianity' does exactly what the title suggests: it challenges Christians to think and pray and act in such a way that the Christian faith will continue to flourish in the United Kingdom for generations to come. This is a must read for anyone who wants to think about how to love their neighbour as themselves.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Revd Dr Tom Wilson, Director St Philip's Centre, Leicester \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA welcome and significant contribution to a better understanding of the nation's search for meaning in life through the eyes of a committed Christian. Andrew's style is refreshing, not least because his working assumption is the recognition that he needs to learn more and that can only be achieved by asking questions rather than by expressing opinions. The breadth of issues covered serves to allow readers to use it as a reference book as well as a carefully coherent development of key themes. A challenging and radical book which is highly commended.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Sior Coleman, Faith producer\/presenter BBC WM \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAndrew Smith is Director of Interfaith Relations for the Bishop of Birmingham. Together with others, he set up the charity The Feast to develop Christian-Muslim youth work. He led the initiative to create the Ethical Guidelines for Witness produced by The National Christian-Muslim Forum 2006-2011.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times, 24 May 2019. Review by Anna Poulson\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this short and accessible introduction to engaging with people of different faiths, Andrew Smith provides an exciting vision for how this calling is for all Christians rather than a specialist ministry for a few interfaith experts and cross-cultural mission partners.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs the Director of Interfaith Relations for the Bishop of Birmingham, Smith himself has become one such expert. But it is the practical wisdom and personal insights gained over the years of living and working with different faith communities in Birmingham which gives his argument authority and credibility.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExperience has taught Smith that interfaith engagement does not rely on the acquisition of academic knowledge about other faiths. Instead, Christians need a confidence and joy in unapologetically communicating their own faith, combined with a desire for genuine encounter and open dialogue, a willingness to listen and to learn, and an enthusiasm for peacemaking and friendship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor this, Smith provides plenty of training — from his exploration of both the Great Commandment and the Great Commission as his biblical underpinning for this ministry, to his practical guidelines for dialogue and ethical evangelism, his exploration of basic cultural issues, and his invitation to be peacemakers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn setting out his vision, Smith does not shy away from some of the more challenging issues: questions of salvation, evangelism, and conversion are faced head on with confidence, and tempered with generous amounts of humility and compassion. So, too, is the necessity of learning how to disagree well through dialogue (before a crisis forces the issue), and the paralysis caused by fear of the unknown.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat we don’t find here is a historical perspective on how Britain came to be the multi-religious society it is today, or an analysis of the extent to which Christianity is present and engaged in our cities and large towns. Neither does it explore the various theological paradigms that might have been brought into play, nor some of the ecclesiological questions that we would do well to be asking. But what we do find is inspiration for how we can be biblical Christians, who are faithful to the distinctiveness of the gospel and committed to graciously loving our neighbours from different faith communities and affirming all that is good within them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book should be on the essential reading list of every ordinand and re-written as a Lent course for their congregations. The relational model at the heart of it will give them the confidence not simply to tolerate or live alongside people from other religious backgrounds, but to discover the joy of true encounter and transforming friendships with all our neighbours in this increasingly dynamic and complex multi-ethnic and multi-religious country. Smith is one expert from whom we should look forward to hearing more in the years ahead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Revd Dr Anna Poulson, Vicar of St John’s Southall Green, London\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePreach, Winter 2018. Review by Ray Taylor\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a very timely book. Contemporary Britain is now a place in which Christianity is no longer the dominant religion, but home to an increasing number of people from different faith traditions. Smith makes the point right at the outset that religion is rarely out of the news, usually for all the wrong reasons, and other faiths, particularly Islam, are much more \u003cem\u003evisible \u003c\/em\u003e(my stress) in politics, education, and popular culture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe author is well-qualified to write about this field. He is the Director of Interfaith Relations for the Bishop of Birmingham; he co-founded the charity The Feast to develop Christian-Muslim youth work; and he led the initiative to create the Ethical Guidelines for Christian and Muslim Witness in Britain. It might be supposed that Smith's interests lie solely in the Muslim faith but this book also discusses Judaism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Hinduism. Smith often discusses the Muslim faith in detail, but his conclusions, advice and many biblical examples can equally be applied to other faiths.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat I really like about this book is how accessible it is. Smith has a deceptively engaging style that belies the seriousness of his subject. He adopts a sensible approach to the issues, occasionally provocative and challenging, but always underpinned by scripture and the example of Jesus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne approach to improvement and developing good relationships is to remain friendly and agree to disagree. The analogy is that of a marriage -- it takes a brave spouse to tell their partner that what they believe is wrong! It is better to listen, ask why they have a certain point of view and then offer a different perspective. One of Smith's golden rules, whenever he is faced with something he doesn't know or understand, is to \u003cem\u003ejust smile and ask.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book will useful for preachers when their message reflects on other faiths, aided by its extensive use of scriptural example.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Ray Taylor\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader, Autumn 2018. Review by Claire Disbrey\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an inspiring and practical book tackling one of the most pressing challenges to the Church in Britain today. Smith is director of interfaith relations for the bishop of Birmingham and writes from many years of experience, especially with Christian\/Muslim youth work. He believes that, as more British Christians are finding themselves working with and living among people who practice faiths other than Christianity, they are having to rethink some of their assumptions and attitudes. The aim of the book is therefore 'to equip the Church for a faithful engagement with people of other faiths.' Coming from the evangelical end of the Church, Smith argues from scripture and discusses how to balance friendship, dialogue and evangelism and concludes that dialogue is an authentic medium for witness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Claire Disbrey\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReform April 2018. Review by Maggie Hindley, retired minister\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt last! Thank you, Andrew Smith, for this invitation to evangelical Christians, to engage seriously, as equals, with people of other faiths. I know nothing else like it, and it is much needed in these times, when British Christians find themselves rubbing shoulders with people of other faiths as neighbours, colleagues and citizens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSmith's argument is that we should stop thinking in terms of a 'spiritual scale' where some people are going to heaven and others not. Letting go of such dualistic thinking allows us to view our other-faith neighbour in a more complex way. The command to love our neighbour trumps the command to evangelise, and love shows itself in respectful service. If we approach the faith of another with an enquiring mind, we may find much to learn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen we do invite others to faith in Jesus, Smith argues, we should do it without manipulation; we should listen as much as we speak and try to understand that they, too, have a right to invite us to their faith. Smith reproduces the Christian Muslim Forum's excellent 'Guidelines for Ethical Witness' in full. He also writes passionately on the need for mediation in times of tension, for cultural bridge building and for long-term commitment to interfaith friendship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach chapter begins with a piece of biblical narrative retold, and the book is thoroughly rooted in scripture. It is a very accessible read, made warm and vivid by Smith's attractive and often self-deprecating anecdotes about his own interfaith experience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a book for interfaith enthusiasts as well as evangelicals. I was put off at first by Smith's assumption that his reader might worry about whether or not the neighbour of another faith might go to heaven - I don't, nor, I'm sure, do many 'Reform' readers. But how can we seek to understand our neighbour of another faith if we don't first listen to the concerns of fellow Christians across our liberal\/evangelical divide?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'Vibrant Christianity in Multifaith Britain is divided into eight chapters, each followed by questions for discussion. At GBP7.99, it's a good choice for a book group or a four-to-eight session course.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Maggie Hindley, retired minister\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMagnet. Review by Juliet Campbell\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDr Andrew Smith is Director of Interfaith Relations for the Bishop of Birmingham and set up a charity - the Feast - to nurture Christian\/Muslim youth work and understanding. Dr Smith had a lead role in creating the Ethical Guidelines for Witness, which was produced by the National Christian Muslim Forum (2006-2011).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe addresses a variety of topics: what Christians think of other faiths; them and us; the great commission; dialogue; peace-making; community; culture and reaching out and welcoming in - the Church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach chapter begins with a paraphrased passage from the New Testament, moving into the author's own experience and finishing with questions which can be used for discussion. This book is a straightforward but challenging read for contemporary Christians in an ever-developing multi-faith society. It challenges us to review how we see ourselves and those of other faiths in relation to sharing in the community we live in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Juliet Campbell\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-10-30T08:12:34+00:00","created_at":"2024-10-30T08:11:38+00:00","vendor":"Andrew Smith","type":"eBook","tags":["Glassboxx","Jan-18","Mission"],"price":699,"price_min":699,"price_max":699,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":53604694622588,"title":"eBook","option1":"eBook","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857465740","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Vibrant Christianity in Multifaith Britain: Equipping the church for a faithful engagement with people of different faiths - eBook","public_title":"eBook","options":["eBook"],"price":699,"weight":147,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857465740","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/263.png?v=1730980359","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/264.png?v=1730980350"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/263.png?v=1730980359","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":63001494552956,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/263.png?v=1730980359"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/263.png?v=1730980359","width":1303},{"alt":null,"id":63001492619644,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/264.png?v=1730980350"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/264.png?v=1730980350","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eEquipping the church for a faithful engagement with people of different faiths. \u003c\/strong\u003eVibrant Christianity in Multi-Faith Britain is an accessible and thought-provoking approach that encourages readers to think seriously about how we live out our faith in an increasingly multi-faith society. Whether we meet people of different faiths or just hear about them in the media, this book will give Christians confidence to express our faith in a religiously diverse world. Drawing on scripture and the author's many years of experience, the book challenges preconceptions and offers practical advice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eContents\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhat do we think of other faiths?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA different question\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThem and us?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe great commission\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDoing dialogue\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBeing peacemakers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCultural issues\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe church: reaching out and welcoming in\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the book I wish had been available when I first started to think about engaging with other faiths. Andrew is a safe guide to this rewarding and necessary aspect of contemporary Christian discipleship. He offers his long experience, godly wisdom and theological depth worn lightly in the stories and reflections that will amuse, reassure, but most of all inspire us to the best practice.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Revd Dr Richard Sudworth, Priest in Charge at Christchurch Sparkbrook \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf 'proclamation evangelism' and 'diaconal service' are badly in need of a biblical redefinition; and if the two need to be synthesised into one cohesive whole that's organic and relational, then this is a 'must-read' about what the non-negotiable ingredients are; how they ideally blend together and what it could look like in practice.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Steve Bell, Author, speaker, Director of Interserve in Gt Britain \u0026amp; Ireland \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'Vibrant Christianity' does exactly what the title suggests: it challenges Christians to think and pray and act in such a way that the Christian faith will continue to flourish in the United Kingdom for generations to come. This is a must read for anyone who wants to think about how to love their neighbour as themselves.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Revd Dr Tom Wilson, Director St Philip's Centre, Leicester \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA welcome and significant contribution to a better understanding of the nation's search for meaning in life through the eyes of a committed Christian. Andrew's style is refreshing, not least because his working assumption is the recognition that he needs to learn more and that can only be achieved by asking questions rather than by expressing opinions. The breadth of issues covered serves to allow readers to use it as a reference book as well as a carefully coherent development of key themes. A challenging and radical book which is highly commended.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Sior Coleman, Faith producer\/presenter BBC WM \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAndrew Smith is Director of Interfaith Relations for the Bishop of Birmingham. Together with others, he set up the charity The Feast to develop Christian-Muslim youth work. He led the initiative to create the Ethical Guidelines for Witness produced by The National Christian-Muslim Forum 2006-2011.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times, 24 May 2019. Review by Anna Poulson\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this short and accessible introduction to engaging with people of different faiths, Andrew Smith provides an exciting vision for how this calling is for all Christians rather than a specialist ministry for a few interfaith experts and cross-cultural mission partners.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs the Director of Interfaith Relations for the Bishop of Birmingham, Smith himself has become one such expert. But it is the practical wisdom and personal insights gained over the years of living and working with different faith communities in Birmingham which gives his argument authority and credibility.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExperience has taught Smith that interfaith engagement does not rely on the acquisition of academic knowledge about other faiths. Instead, Christians need a confidence and joy in unapologetically communicating their own faith, combined with a desire for genuine encounter and open dialogue, a willingness to listen and to learn, and an enthusiasm for peacemaking and friendship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor this, Smith provides plenty of training — from his exploration of both the Great Commandment and the Great Commission as his biblical underpinning for this ministry, to his practical guidelines for dialogue and ethical evangelism, his exploration of basic cultural issues, and his invitation to be peacemakers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn setting out his vision, Smith does not shy away from some of the more challenging issues: questions of salvation, evangelism, and conversion are faced head on with confidence, and tempered with generous amounts of humility and compassion. So, too, is the necessity of learning how to disagree well through dialogue (before a crisis forces the issue), and the paralysis caused by fear of the unknown.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat we don’t find here is a historical perspective on how Britain came to be the multi-religious society it is today, or an analysis of the extent to which Christianity is present and engaged in our cities and large towns. Neither does it explore the various theological paradigms that might have been brought into play, nor some of the ecclesiological questions that we would do well to be asking. But what we do find is inspiration for how we can be biblical Christians, who are faithful to the distinctiveness of the gospel and committed to graciously loving our neighbours from different faith communities and affirming all that is good within them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book should be on the essential reading list of every ordinand and re-written as a Lent course for their congregations. The relational model at the heart of it will give them the confidence not simply to tolerate or live alongside people from other religious backgrounds, but to discover the joy of true encounter and transforming friendships with all our neighbours in this increasingly dynamic and complex multi-ethnic and multi-religious country. Smith is one expert from whom we should look forward to hearing more in the years ahead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Revd Dr Anna Poulson, Vicar of St John’s Southall Green, London\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePreach, Winter 2018. Review by Ray Taylor\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a very timely book. Contemporary Britain is now a place in which Christianity is no longer the dominant religion, but home to an increasing number of people from different faith traditions. Smith makes the point right at the outset that religion is rarely out of the news, usually for all the wrong reasons, and other faiths, particularly Islam, are much more \u003cem\u003evisible \u003c\/em\u003e(my stress) in politics, education, and popular culture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe author is well-qualified to write about this field. He is the Director of Interfaith Relations for the Bishop of Birmingham; he co-founded the charity The Feast to develop Christian-Muslim youth work; and he led the initiative to create the Ethical Guidelines for Christian and Muslim Witness in Britain. It might be supposed that Smith's interests lie solely in the Muslim faith but this book also discusses Judaism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Hinduism. Smith often discusses the Muslim faith in detail, but his conclusions, advice and many biblical examples can equally be applied to other faiths.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat I really like about this book is how accessible it is. Smith has a deceptively engaging style that belies the seriousness of his subject. He adopts a sensible approach to the issues, occasionally provocative and challenging, but always underpinned by scripture and the example of Jesus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne approach to improvement and developing good relationships is to remain friendly and agree to disagree. The analogy is that of a marriage -- it takes a brave spouse to tell their partner that what they believe is wrong! It is better to listen, ask why they have a certain point of view and then offer a different perspective. One of Smith's golden rules, whenever he is faced with something he doesn't know or understand, is to \u003cem\u003ejust smile and ask.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book will useful for preachers when their message reflects on other faiths, aided by its extensive use of scriptural example.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Ray Taylor\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader, Autumn 2018. Review by Claire Disbrey\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an inspiring and practical book tackling one of the most pressing challenges to the Church in Britain today. Smith is director of interfaith relations for the bishop of Birmingham and writes from many years of experience, especially with Christian\/Muslim youth work. He believes that, as more British Christians are finding themselves working with and living among people who practice faiths other than Christianity, they are having to rethink some of their assumptions and attitudes. The aim of the book is therefore 'to equip the Church for a faithful engagement with people of other faiths.' Coming from the evangelical end of the Church, Smith argues from scripture and discusses how to balance friendship, dialogue and evangelism and concludes that dialogue is an authentic medium for witness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Claire Disbrey\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReform April 2018. Review by Maggie Hindley, retired minister\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt last! Thank you, Andrew Smith, for this invitation to evangelical Christians, to engage seriously, as equals, with people of other faiths. I know nothing else like it, and it is much needed in these times, when British Christians find themselves rubbing shoulders with people of other faiths as neighbours, colleagues and citizens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSmith's argument is that we should stop thinking in terms of a 'spiritual scale' where some people are going to heaven and others not. Letting go of such dualistic thinking allows us to view our other-faith neighbour in a more complex way. The command to love our neighbour trumps the command to evangelise, and love shows itself in respectful service. If we approach the faith of another with an enquiring mind, we may find much to learn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen we do invite others to faith in Jesus, Smith argues, we should do it without manipulation; we should listen as much as we speak and try to understand that they, too, have a right to invite us to their faith. Smith reproduces the Christian Muslim Forum's excellent 'Guidelines for Ethical Witness' in full. He also writes passionately on the need for mediation in times of tension, for cultural bridge building and for long-term commitment to interfaith friendship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach chapter begins with a piece of biblical narrative retold, and the book is thoroughly rooted in scripture. It is a very accessible read, made warm and vivid by Smith's attractive and often self-deprecating anecdotes about his own interfaith experience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a book for interfaith enthusiasts as well as evangelicals. I was put off at first by Smith's assumption that his reader might worry about whether or not the neighbour of another faith might go to heaven - I don't, nor, I'm sure, do many 'Reform' readers. But how can we seek to understand our neighbour of another faith if we don't first listen to the concerns of fellow Christians across our liberal\/evangelical divide?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'Vibrant Christianity in Multifaith Britain is divided into eight chapters, each followed by questions for discussion. At GBP7.99, it's a good choice for a book group or a four-to-eight session course.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Maggie Hindley, retired minister\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMagnet. Review by Juliet Campbell\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDr Andrew Smith is Director of Interfaith Relations for the Bishop of Birmingham and set up a charity - the Feast - to nurture Christian\/Muslim youth work and understanding. Dr Smith had a lead role in creating the Ethical Guidelines for Witness, which was produced by the National Christian Muslim Forum (2006-2011).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe addresses a variety of topics: what Christians think of other faiths; them and us; the great commission; dialogue; peace-making; community; culture and reaching out and welcoming in - the Church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach chapter begins with a paraphrased passage from the New Testament, moving into the author's own experience and finishing with questions which can be used for discussion. This book is a straightforward but challenging read for contemporary Christians in an ever-developing multi-faith society. It challenges us to review how we see ourselves and those of other faiths in relation to sharing in the community we live in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Juliet Campbell\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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{"id":14779334885756,"title":"Resourcing Rural Ministry: Practical insights for mission","handle":"resourcing-rural-ministry-practical-insights-for-mission-1","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eResourcing Rural Ministry offers an in-depth exploration of the key aspects, challenges and opportunities of mission in a rural church. Relevant for ordained and lay leaders alike, the book covers subjects ranging from encouraging evangelism in a multi-church group to making best use of church buildings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eContaining a wealth of real-life case studies and suggestions for follow-up, this ecumenical publication draws on the expertise and resources of the Arthur Rank Centre (ARC), which has served the spiritual and practical needs of the rural Christian community for over 40 years. This book contributes to ARC's Germinate programme of training, development and support for rural multi-church groups of all denominations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eResourcing Rural Ministry was first developed by Simon Martin as Training and Resources Officer at the ARC. Additional chapters have been contributed by the Revd Caroline Hewlett, Rona Orme and Becky Payne and the final text has been prepared and edited by Jill Hopkinson\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis guide is rooted in the reality of rural life with all its opportunities and challenges. Experienced rural practitioners share stories and resources which will inspire and equip those Christians, lay and ordained, who are working together in the very varied rural communities in Britain. Simon Martin and the other contributors have provided an invaluable resource for all who are engaged in rural mission and ministry, which I hope will be widely read and used.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Revd Ruth Gee, BA, M Litt, President of the Methodist Conference 2013 - 2014, Chair of the Darlington Methodist District \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you want an inspiring read, this book is for you. This is a can-do book for whatever your context may be. I found it faith-building and full of fantastic stories, innovative ideas and best practice throughout its pages. This book is a must for anyone passionate about seeing the gospel transform their community, whether an individual, lay preacher or church leader, and will inspire creativity, energy and enthusiasm to make a real difference in your setting.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Roy Crowne, Executive Director, HOPE \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFundamentals of Christian faith and being church are story, relationships and being disciples. This book is packed with helpful resources and background theology that speak into all of these areas and will aid the rural church to be a vibrant and relevant presence in today's society. This is a 'must read' book for clergy, educators, lay leaders and anyone who has a heart for rural mission.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Revd Peter Ball, Mission and Training Officer, Eastern Synod of the United Reformed Church \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA really useful, affirming, grounded, inspirational and practical resource book. Great for anyone in rural ministry, but with wisdom for those in lay and ordained ministry anywhere.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Lucy Moore, BRF Messy Church Team Leader \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA key message of this very useful and usable collection is that we can learn so much from the stories of what God is doing among us and through us. Read these contributions and you'll be excited by a wealth of experience, insight and resource. How to develop a learning culture is a hugely important question, and it is a vital issue for the rural church in regard to worship, discipleship and evangelism. This book is a significant contribution to that development, not least because of its consistent theme of learning from each other and learning together. I warmly commend it to all who long for the flourishing of the rural church.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Rt Revd James Bell, Bishop of Ripon, Chair of the Rural Affairs Group of the Church of England General Synod \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eResourcing Rural Ministry was first developed by Simon Martin as Training and Resources Officer at the Arthur Rank Centre. Additional chapters have been contributed by Revd Caroline Hewlett, Rona Orme and Becky Payne and the final text prepared and edited by Jill Hopkinson.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePobl Dewi (Diocese of St David's) - June 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Arthur Rank Centre has been the churches' focus on rural ministry and mission for 40+ years. The accumulated knowledge on all matters affecting every denomination is unrivalled. The connections into every diocese and district has distilled much experience into this small book. The title and subtitle show how the commitment of ministry is to mission. The key questions are asked and answered. What support is available for rural congregations that have limited resources and few members? How do you resource small, dispersed rural congregations and their leaders, lay and ordained?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reliance on lay people is the norm in rural communities and churches. Clergy have to find their role, which can be very different from how it is in an urban church. The nature of church, its theology, worship, practical outreach and expectations are likely to be very different if there are less than a dozen regularly at worship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThose few laypeople are likely to be involved in many other community activities and their witness does not go unseen. The community in which the church is set has its own rhythms and customs. It is wise to understand these so that the life of the church respects those that are honourable and desirable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is no surprise that this book refers readers to larger resources on the website (www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk). The chapter on worship recognises how it is part of the breath of the community, even for those who do not join in. There are many who may use the church building for their own good purposes, such as meditation and prayer, at other times of the week. The chapter on evangelism refers to the Journey to Faith section. There is a useful critique of Fresh Expressions and Messy Church. The chapter on children and young people brings together several good examples of rural churches that have tried new ways of building relationships with this generation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRelationship is the key to rural ministry and mission. Many people have existing relationships and friendships and the church has to recognise these links so that its invitation to a new relationship with Christ is offered appropriately.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChurch buildings have their own contribution to make in re-connecting church to community. Good examples abound.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRevd Canon Jeremy Martineau\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 29 April 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMULTI-AUTHOR books have their difficulties, but this is a book that will be widely appreciated and much read in rural parishes. The book was conceived and largely written by Simon Martin of the Arthur Rank Centre (the Church's presence at the centre of the farming and countryside world). Unfortunately, Simon became seriously ill before the completion of this book, and it was prepared for publication by Jill Hopkinson and other authors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the wake of \u003cem\u003eFaith in the City\u003c\/em\u003e (1985), the attention of the churches turned to rural matters, not least because of the animal-health problems of the 1980s. \u003cem\u003eFaith in the Countryside\u003c\/em\u003e (1990) seemed for a time to be the high watermark of the Church's concern with the countryside and its rural parishes. But in recent years there has been a steady flow of books on rural matters, among which this book now takes its place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBooks on the rural Church tend to fall into two categories: first, those that are essentially local histories, but which generalise about the state of affairs in the countryside; second, those about how to minister in rural areas which are full of accounts of how to confront the steady decline in rural church life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book contains little historical analysis of the development of rural parishes, but is full of accounts of pioneering work and how this has been achieved. Those in need of help as they seek to deal with the complexities of church life in rural communities should turn to this book, which is full of examples of 'what to do' and 'how to do it', many of them drawn from the Arthur Rank Centre's publication \u003cem\u003e Country Parish\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are chapters on discipleship and nurture; mission in the rural context; rural fresh expressions; worship in small churches; and the use and adaptation of historic church buildings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor generations, the central issue in rural parishes has been who 'owns' the church, 'not in the sense of legal tenure but in the sense of who makes the rules, determines the programme and the general direction and feel of that church'. There have been historic struggles between patrons, clergy, and churchwardens. But today many parishes have witnessed ownership struggles between the old resident community and recent arrivals who bring a different understanding of the nature of the church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuch differences have to be reconciled, because, according to Martin, a successful rural church must be run by its congregation. While it used to be considered that the role of the laity was to help the clergy do what was essentially their job, Martin and his co-authors make it clear that the rural church will only thrive if it is run by the laity, and the role of the very few rural clergy is to encourage and equip the laity to do this job\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e.In one church, a member of the congregation wrote on the wall 'This is my church.' This book makes clear that unless the laity, in every sense, own and take responsibility for the local church, it will die. Many will recognise the truth of this statement in the contemporary countryside.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Rt Revd Dr Anthony Russell is a former Bishop of Ely and President of the Royal Agricultural Society of England.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurches Together in England - April 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is long overdue as it brings many of the resources for mission from the Arthur Rank Centre - which has resourced rural ministry and mission for 40 years - into one place. This is very welcome for clergy and lay people alike and from across the churches in England, especially as it is said that 1 in 6 of the population live in rural areas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWritten by national advisors and local practitioners alike, \u003cem\u003eResourcing Rural Ministry\u003c\/em\u003e does exactly what it says, by providing a wide variety of ideas, resources, case studies and comment for anyone concerned with the rural context of mission.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eApart from all the helpful information, what I like best about this book is the layout. Under straight forward titles and in short sections it is easy to find what you might be looking for. Whether it be Messy Church, Multi-Church Ministry, or rural aspects of Ministerial Training, it also includes examples of more unusual ministry e.g. Forest Church and various aspects of theological reflection e.g. Robert Warren's diagram of Doing, Being and Living.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eResourcing Rural Ministry\u003c\/em\u003e draws on various traditions including monastic and Fresh Expressions, as well as quoting examples from different denominations. It is a compendium or 'one stop shop' for those who want to address the challenges of the rural church - especially practically.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a practical guide, some may say \u003cem\u003eResourcing Rural Ministry\u003c\/em\u003e is light in terms of political and social critique, and that it could have drawn more on major works on ministry and mission before it. I would say its strength lies in covering the contemporary ground brilliantly and with just the right amount of information and reflection to encourage every reader in the task of developing understanding, discipleship and rural ministry to get on with the task better informed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll insights are positive, and difficult topics are not ignored. This is well illustrated in a quote from page 42: 'Multi-church ministry brings with it a great many joys and opportunities, in working with different communities and congregations. It also has its own tensions and complications and can be stressful for lay and ordained alike. We know that it is possible for some churches in rural multi-church groups to grow and to do so consistently over several years. We also know that many rural congregations have reduced in size and others maintain regular numbers attending'. What follows this quote is a chapter exploring the issues, with a pragmatic approach, based on research.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short, this is a book for everyone in rural ministry. Full of ideas and encouragement, notes and anecdotes, resources and analysis that has been 'rural-proofed' to be relevant and helpful. Drawing on resources from the Arthur Rank Centre e.g. Country Way (p39) and Journey to Faith (p110), it draws on 40 years' experience and provides the reader with a wonderful overview, guide and mission resource all in one place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJim Currin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCTE Evangelisation, Mission and Media\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStaff member on the Churches Rural Group\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Door (The Diocese of Oxford) March 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is currently a group, established by the Diocesan Board of Mission, whose function is to consider a range of strategic initiatives to enhance the rural church, and this book is a welcome introductory resource for all those who have an interest in rural ministry and its expression in the 21st century. \u003cbr\u003eThe authors recognise the specific characteristics of rural ministry relating to context, culture and community and the need to be aware of the specific ways these impact on church life. In keeping with \u003cem\u003eLiving Faith\u003c\/em\u003e there are resources related to mission and ministry including chapters on worship, evangelism, discipleship, children and young people, and developing Messy Church. The book offers a range of ideas, initiatives and approaches in these and other areas, drawing on a range of denominations.\u003cbr\u003eOne of the most helpful sections is by Simon Martin who maintains that rural churches are particularly effective in showing Christ's compassion to those in need and also in what might be termed low level nurture and teaching. He is realistic about the appropriateness of using some resources in the rural context and offers helpful ideas and resources such as the sharing of stories and the use of the Arthur Rank Centre's Equipping for Rural Mission via \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.germinate.net\/go\/profiling\"\u003ewww.germinate.net\/go\/profiling\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003cbr\u003eAs he rightly states small rural churches are not failed larger ones. Rather they have a range of expressions, networks and routes into their communities that enables them to function as a little yeast, that, in the words of Saint Paul to the Galatians, 'leavens the whole batch of dough'.\u003cbr\u003eRegarding discipleship and nurture, as in other chapters, a number of resources are offered alongside comments and observations from those who have used them. Again there is a helpful degree of realism here to enable one to assess whether what one might offer is appropriate not only for the local context and communities, but also for the resources one has available. This book could well be used by members of rural multi-parish benefices, and within rural deaneries, as a vehicle for gaining fresh insights for rural ministry. By focusing on each chapter in turn, resources for discussing mission and ministry could be creatively and imaginatively explored. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Revd Charles Chadwick is the Parish Development Adviser in the Dorchester Archdeaconry and Leader of the Rural Strategies Steering Group.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMethodist Recorder 29 January 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is a small, but useful, contribution to counteract the old dictum, 'If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.' Encouraging all churches to believe in possibilities and experimentation, it is a book of 'realtime' stories from across the country, of folk just like you and I, not giving up. Men and women questioning and engaging their localities with bespoke attempts to reach out and reveal the something of the divine and the importance of spiritual reflection in all of our lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGiven that, for the past 20 years or more, the polls and pundits are shouting that, in all our mainstream Churches, the active attendance in local churches of our neighbours is rapidly declining.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCounteract\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe stories relayed within \u003cem\u003eResourcing Rural Ministry - Practical Insights for Mission \u003c\/em\u003eby Simon Martin with Caroline Hewett, Rona Orme and Becky Payne simply try and counteract the data so often solemnly presented at synods and conferences, but it cannot contradict the overall important trends being revealed. The 'number crunchers-crunching' suggest that our neighbours simply see no need of 'belonging' or 'embracing' the stories of faith.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSimon Martin and editor Jill Hopkinson from the Arthur Rank Centre, with friends and colleagues, offer throughout this book (203 pages) cameos of hope and experimentation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe, in the Church, have become familiar with terms like 'fresh expressions' and 'messy churches', but perhaps not with 'Eastertingle' or 'Who let the Dads out' groups, ie the men who care for their little ones gathering together. Even a 'Forest Church' that explores worship in a landscape\/outside of a church building.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the end of the book five pages point to other resources tried and tested - probably\u003cbr\u003esome useful and successful, others not so, but all venturesome and calling us to\u003cbr\u003etake courage!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEnvisioned\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThroughout this book it points to envisioned lay folk and clergy. One short paragraph struck me on p160 (Bar Nash-Williams united benefice of Stamfordham and Matfen): 'All the good plans and keen participation come to nothing if you don't start with the heart, it's your heart that says, 'It's worth it just for one child'. Its the heart that says, 'We do what we can and trust to God for the rest.' When you start with that attitude a tiny church can do good things with tiny resources.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmen to that. For we Methodists those words speak to our DNA of 'warmed hearts' and 'faithful service' to our God-given communities wherever you are. I commend this book to those who are seeking some ideas with a warm heart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Rev Canon Alan Robson is Lincolnshire agricultural chaplain.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size: 15px; text-align: left;\"\u003eFrom \u003cem\u003eMETconnexion\u003c\/em\u003e. December 2015\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size: 15px; text-align: left;\"\u003eIf you are looking for a practical understanding of the main issues, challenges and responses in rural ministry in Britain, this is the text for you. It's very accessible, straightforward and written by Simon Martin and others who are all associated with the Arthur Rank Centre (ARC) which seeks to equip the rural church for effective ministry and mission.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat I particularly like about this book is that it covers the main areas, at least as I understand them. Too many books on rural Christianity spend a lot of their time offering an analysis of the changing nature of rural communities, dealing with indices of rural deprivation, mobility and so on. This is important and helps us to understand the rural context in which we live out our faith and minister. But, too often they don't offer enough direct suggestion as to what we might actually do.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe chapters consider mission, worship, evangelism, messy church, fresh expressions, worship, discipleship, young people and multi-church ministry. I particularly appreciate the separate chapters on mission and evangelism. Too often these areas are conflated and the result is that being involved with people outside of the believing community is considered to be evangelism. In reality that is mission which creates the opportunity for a more direct sharing of faith and a challenge to discipleship. This book very helpfully, in my view, gets this right.My one small criticism of this book is that it's a bit Anglican. That is fully understandable. The ARC (http:\/\/www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk\/) is a largely Anglican organisation with a Methodist\/United Reformed Rural Officer. The book refers to a lot of ARC resources and programmes which can be used for anyone, although at times there is more of an Anglican flavour. The chapter on 'multi-church ministry' is a good example where the Methodist norm is discussed but rather than strengths and weaknesses of a rural circuit being considered there is more of an introduction to how Methodists do things for others. I think more could be learnt by Methodists and others by a sharper critique of the current Methodist circuit.This is a very good book that enables us to better understand the challenges and possibilities in rural mission and ministry. It does point to the need to produce more material that helps Methodists and other non-Anglicans understand their nuanced context. This is a fine resource that will benefit many.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size: 15px; text-align: left;\"\u003eRev'd Dr Stephen Skuce\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCountry Way magazine - January 2016\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe all know that society is changing rapidly and that there is a real need for Christians to find new and innovative ways of ensuring that the story of Jesus and the love of God, for this world, and us as individuals can still be heard and responded to.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat is not always so easy is finding the right models and ways for doing so. Resourcing Rural Ministry is therefore a 'must have' on the bookshelf of all those who wish to think about what God is saying to the rural church in this generation. In many ways rural church life comes with some unique opportunities as well as often being at the heart of the many challenges facing rural communities in the 21st century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhilst no book can offer all of the answers, and each context is unique, Resourcing Rural Ministry will help people to think about their rural context, the story the rural church has to tell and then to look at the mission opportunities this provides through practical ideas. The fundamentals of the Christian faith and being church are story, relationships and growing as disciples. This book is packed with helpful resources and background theology that speak into all of these areas and will aid the rural church to be a vibrant and relevant presence in today's society. God provides us with many opportunities to be more missional in our approach and outlook toward church and community life, and this book is a useful tool to help us grasp those opportunities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeter Ball\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e","published_at":"2024-10-30T08:02:38+00:00","created_at":"2024-10-30T08:01:33+00:00","vendor":"Simon Martin","type":"eBook","tags":["Church life","Glassboxx","Mission","Nov-15"],"price":899,"price_min":899,"price_max":899,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":53604691444092,"title":"eBook","option1":"eBook","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857462633","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Resourcing Rural Ministry: Practical insights for mission - eBook","public_title":"eBook","options":["eBook"],"price":899,"weight":232,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857462633","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/255.png?v=1730980290","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/256.png?v=1730980369"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/255.png?v=1730980290","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":63001480364412,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/255.png?v=1730980290"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/255.png?v=1730980290","width":1303},{"alt":null,"id":63001497108860,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/256.png?v=1730980369"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/256.png?v=1730980369","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eResourcing Rural Ministry offers an in-depth exploration of the key aspects, challenges and opportunities of mission in a rural church. Relevant for ordained and lay leaders alike, the book covers subjects ranging from encouraging evangelism in a multi-church group to making best use of church buildings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eContaining a wealth of real-life case studies and suggestions for follow-up, this ecumenical publication draws on the expertise and resources of the Arthur Rank Centre (ARC), which has served the spiritual and practical needs of the rural Christian community for over 40 years. This book contributes to ARC's Germinate programme of training, development and support for rural multi-church groups of all denominations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eResourcing Rural Ministry was first developed by Simon Martin as Training and Resources Officer at the ARC. Additional chapters have been contributed by the Revd Caroline Hewlett, Rona Orme and Becky Payne and the final text has been prepared and edited by Jill Hopkinson\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis guide is rooted in the reality of rural life with all its opportunities and challenges. Experienced rural practitioners share stories and resources which will inspire and equip those Christians, lay and ordained, who are working together in the very varied rural communities in Britain. Simon Martin and the other contributors have provided an invaluable resource for all who are engaged in rural mission and ministry, which I hope will be widely read and used.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Revd Ruth Gee, BA, M Litt, President of the Methodist Conference 2013 - 2014, Chair of the Darlington Methodist District \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you want an inspiring read, this book is for you. This is a can-do book for whatever your context may be. I found it faith-building and full of fantastic stories, innovative ideas and best practice throughout its pages. This book is a must for anyone passionate about seeing the gospel transform their community, whether an individual, lay preacher or church leader, and will inspire creativity, energy and enthusiasm to make a real difference in your setting.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Roy Crowne, Executive Director, HOPE \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFundamentals of Christian faith and being church are story, relationships and being disciples. This book is packed with helpful resources and background theology that speak into all of these areas and will aid the rural church to be a vibrant and relevant presence in today's society. This is a 'must read' book for clergy, educators, lay leaders and anyone who has a heart for rural mission.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Revd Peter Ball, Mission and Training Officer, Eastern Synod of the United Reformed Church \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA really useful, affirming, grounded, inspirational and practical resource book. Great for anyone in rural ministry, but with wisdom for those in lay and ordained ministry anywhere.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Lucy Moore, BRF Messy Church Team Leader \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA key message of this very useful and usable collection is that we can learn so much from the stories of what God is doing among us and through us. Read these contributions and you'll be excited by a wealth of experience, insight and resource. How to develop a learning culture is a hugely important question, and it is a vital issue for the rural church in regard to worship, discipleship and evangelism. This book is a significant contribution to that development, not least because of its consistent theme of learning from each other and learning together. I warmly commend it to all who long for the flourishing of the rural church.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Rt Revd James Bell, Bishop of Ripon, Chair of the Rural Affairs Group of the Church of England General Synod \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eResourcing Rural Ministry was first developed by Simon Martin as Training and Resources Officer at the Arthur Rank Centre. Additional chapters have been contributed by Revd Caroline Hewlett, Rona Orme and Becky Payne and the final text prepared and edited by Jill Hopkinson.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePobl Dewi (Diocese of St David's) - June 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Arthur Rank Centre has been the churches' focus on rural ministry and mission for 40+ years. The accumulated knowledge on all matters affecting every denomination is unrivalled. The connections into every diocese and district has distilled much experience into this small book. The title and subtitle show how the commitment of ministry is to mission. The key questions are asked and answered. What support is available for rural congregations that have limited resources and few members? How do you resource small, dispersed rural congregations and their leaders, lay and ordained?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reliance on lay people is the norm in rural communities and churches. Clergy have to find their role, which can be very different from how it is in an urban church. The nature of church, its theology, worship, practical outreach and expectations are likely to be very different if there are less than a dozen regularly at worship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThose few laypeople are likely to be involved in many other community activities and their witness does not go unseen. The community in which the church is set has its own rhythms and customs. It is wise to understand these so that the life of the church respects those that are honourable and desirable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is no surprise that this book refers readers to larger resources on the website (www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk). The chapter on worship recognises how it is part of the breath of the community, even for those who do not join in. There are many who may use the church building for their own good purposes, such as meditation and prayer, at other times of the week. The chapter on evangelism refers to the Journey to Faith section. There is a useful critique of Fresh Expressions and Messy Church. The chapter on children and young people brings together several good examples of rural churches that have tried new ways of building relationships with this generation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRelationship is the key to rural ministry and mission. Many people have existing relationships and friendships and the church has to recognise these links so that its invitation to a new relationship with Christ is offered appropriately.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChurch buildings have their own contribution to make in re-connecting church to community. Good examples abound.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRevd Canon Jeremy Martineau\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 29 April 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMULTI-AUTHOR books have their difficulties, but this is a book that will be widely appreciated and much read in rural parishes. The book was conceived and largely written by Simon Martin of the Arthur Rank Centre (the Church's presence at the centre of the farming and countryside world). Unfortunately, Simon became seriously ill before the completion of this book, and it was prepared for publication by Jill Hopkinson and other authors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the wake of \u003cem\u003eFaith in the City\u003c\/em\u003e (1985), the attention of the churches turned to rural matters, not least because of the animal-health problems of the 1980s. \u003cem\u003eFaith in the Countryside\u003c\/em\u003e (1990) seemed for a time to be the high watermark of the Church's concern with the countryside and its rural parishes. But in recent years there has been a steady flow of books on rural matters, among which this book now takes its place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBooks on the rural Church tend to fall into two categories: first, those that are essentially local histories, but which generalise about the state of affairs in the countryside; second, those about how to minister in rural areas which are full of accounts of how to confront the steady decline in rural church life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book contains little historical analysis of the development of rural parishes, but is full of accounts of pioneering work and how this has been achieved. Those in need of help as they seek to deal with the complexities of church life in rural communities should turn to this book, which is full of examples of 'what to do' and 'how to do it', many of them drawn from the Arthur Rank Centre's publication \u003cem\u003e Country Parish\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are chapters on discipleship and nurture; mission in the rural context; rural fresh expressions; worship in small churches; and the use and adaptation of historic church buildings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor generations, the central issue in rural parishes has been who 'owns' the church, 'not in the sense of legal tenure but in the sense of who makes the rules, determines the programme and the general direction and feel of that church'. There have been historic struggles between patrons, clergy, and churchwardens. But today many parishes have witnessed ownership struggles between the old resident community and recent arrivals who bring a different understanding of the nature of the church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuch differences have to be reconciled, because, according to Martin, a successful rural church must be run by its congregation. While it used to be considered that the role of the laity was to help the clergy do what was essentially their job, Martin and his co-authors make it clear that the rural church will only thrive if it is run by the laity, and the role of the very few rural clergy is to encourage and equip the laity to do this job\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e.In one church, a member of the congregation wrote on the wall 'This is my church.' This book makes clear that unless the laity, in every sense, own and take responsibility for the local church, it will die. Many will recognise the truth of this statement in the contemporary countryside.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Rt Revd Dr Anthony Russell is a former Bishop of Ely and President of the Royal Agricultural Society of England.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurches Together in England - April 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is long overdue as it brings many of the resources for mission from the Arthur Rank Centre - which has resourced rural ministry and mission for 40 years - into one place. This is very welcome for clergy and lay people alike and from across the churches in England, especially as it is said that 1 in 6 of the population live in rural areas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWritten by national advisors and local practitioners alike, \u003cem\u003eResourcing Rural Ministry\u003c\/em\u003e does exactly what it says, by providing a wide variety of ideas, resources, case studies and comment for anyone concerned with the rural context of mission.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eApart from all the helpful information, what I like best about this book is the layout. Under straight forward titles and in short sections it is easy to find what you might be looking for. Whether it be Messy Church, Multi-Church Ministry, or rural aspects of Ministerial Training, it also includes examples of more unusual ministry e.g. Forest Church and various aspects of theological reflection e.g. Robert Warren's diagram of Doing, Being and Living.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eResourcing Rural Ministry\u003c\/em\u003e draws on various traditions including monastic and Fresh Expressions, as well as quoting examples from different denominations. It is a compendium or 'one stop shop' for those who want to address the challenges of the rural church - especially practically.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a practical guide, some may say \u003cem\u003eResourcing Rural Ministry\u003c\/em\u003e is light in terms of political and social critique, and that it could have drawn more on major works on ministry and mission before it. I would say its strength lies in covering the contemporary ground brilliantly and with just the right amount of information and reflection to encourage every reader in the task of developing understanding, discipleship and rural ministry to get on with the task better informed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll insights are positive, and difficult topics are not ignored. This is well illustrated in a quote from page 42: 'Multi-church ministry brings with it a great many joys and opportunities, in working with different communities and congregations. It also has its own tensions and complications and can be stressful for lay and ordained alike. We know that it is possible for some churches in rural multi-church groups to grow and to do so consistently over several years. We also know that many rural congregations have reduced in size and others maintain regular numbers attending'. What follows this quote is a chapter exploring the issues, with a pragmatic approach, based on research.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short, this is a book for everyone in rural ministry. Full of ideas and encouragement, notes and anecdotes, resources and analysis that has been 'rural-proofed' to be relevant and helpful. Drawing on resources from the Arthur Rank Centre e.g. Country Way (p39) and Journey to Faith (p110), it draws on 40 years' experience and provides the reader with a wonderful overview, guide and mission resource all in one place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJim Currin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCTE Evangelisation, Mission and Media\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStaff member on the Churches Rural Group\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Door (The Diocese of Oxford) March 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is currently a group, established by the Diocesan Board of Mission, whose function is to consider a range of strategic initiatives to enhance the rural church, and this book is a welcome introductory resource for all those who have an interest in rural ministry and its expression in the 21st century. \u003cbr\u003eThe authors recognise the specific characteristics of rural ministry relating to context, culture and community and the need to be aware of the specific ways these impact on church life. In keeping with \u003cem\u003eLiving Faith\u003c\/em\u003e there are resources related to mission and ministry including chapters on worship, evangelism, discipleship, children and young people, and developing Messy Church. The book offers a range of ideas, initiatives and approaches in these and other areas, drawing on a range of denominations.\u003cbr\u003eOne of the most helpful sections is by Simon Martin who maintains that rural churches are particularly effective in showing Christ's compassion to those in need and also in what might be termed low level nurture and teaching. He is realistic about the appropriateness of using some resources in the rural context and offers helpful ideas and resources such as the sharing of stories and the use of the Arthur Rank Centre's Equipping for Rural Mission via \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.germinate.net\/go\/profiling\"\u003ewww.germinate.net\/go\/profiling\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003cbr\u003eAs he rightly states small rural churches are not failed larger ones. Rather they have a range of expressions, networks and routes into their communities that enables them to function as a little yeast, that, in the words of Saint Paul to the Galatians, 'leavens the whole batch of dough'.\u003cbr\u003eRegarding discipleship and nurture, as in other chapters, a number of resources are offered alongside comments and observations from those who have used them. Again there is a helpful degree of realism here to enable one to assess whether what one might offer is appropriate not only for the local context and communities, but also for the resources one has available. This book could well be used by members of rural multi-parish benefices, and within rural deaneries, as a vehicle for gaining fresh insights for rural ministry. By focusing on each chapter in turn, resources for discussing mission and ministry could be creatively and imaginatively explored. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Revd Charles Chadwick is the Parish Development Adviser in the Dorchester Archdeaconry and Leader of the Rural Strategies Steering Group.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMethodist Recorder 29 January 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is a small, but useful, contribution to counteract the old dictum, 'If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.' Encouraging all churches to believe in possibilities and experimentation, it is a book of 'realtime' stories from across the country, of folk just like you and I, not giving up. Men and women questioning and engaging their localities with bespoke attempts to reach out and reveal the something of the divine and the importance of spiritual reflection in all of our lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGiven that, for the past 20 years or more, the polls and pundits are shouting that, in all our mainstream Churches, the active attendance in local churches of our neighbours is rapidly declining.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCounteract\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe stories relayed within \u003cem\u003eResourcing Rural Ministry - Practical Insights for Mission \u003c\/em\u003eby Simon Martin with Caroline Hewett, Rona Orme and Becky Payne simply try and counteract the data so often solemnly presented at synods and conferences, but it cannot contradict the overall important trends being revealed. The 'number crunchers-crunching' suggest that our neighbours simply see no need of 'belonging' or 'embracing' the stories of faith.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSimon Martin and editor Jill Hopkinson from the Arthur Rank Centre, with friends and colleagues, offer throughout this book (203 pages) cameos of hope and experimentation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe, in the Church, have become familiar with terms like 'fresh expressions' and 'messy churches', but perhaps not with 'Eastertingle' or 'Who let the Dads out' groups, ie the men who care for their little ones gathering together. Even a 'Forest Church' that explores worship in a landscape\/outside of a church building.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the end of the book five pages point to other resources tried and tested - probably\u003cbr\u003esome useful and successful, others not so, but all venturesome and calling us to\u003cbr\u003etake courage!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEnvisioned\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThroughout this book it points to envisioned lay folk and clergy. One short paragraph struck me on p160 (Bar Nash-Williams united benefice of Stamfordham and Matfen): 'All the good plans and keen participation come to nothing if you don't start with the heart, it's your heart that says, 'It's worth it just for one child'. Its the heart that says, 'We do what we can and trust to God for the rest.' When you start with that attitude a tiny church can do good things with tiny resources.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmen to that. For we Methodists those words speak to our DNA of 'warmed hearts' and 'faithful service' to our God-given communities wherever you are. I commend this book to those who are seeking some ideas with a warm heart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Rev Canon Alan Robson is Lincolnshire agricultural chaplain.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size: 15px; text-align: left;\"\u003eFrom \u003cem\u003eMETconnexion\u003c\/em\u003e. December 2015\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size: 15px; text-align: left;\"\u003eIf you are looking for a practical understanding of the main issues, challenges and responses in rural ministry in Britain, this is the text for you. It's very accessible, straightforward and written by Simon Martin and others who are all associated with the Arthur Rank Centre (ARC) which seeks to equip the rural church for effective ministry and mission.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat I particularly like about this book is that it covers the main areas, at least as I understand them. Too many books on rural Christianity spend a lot of their time offering an analysis of the changing nature of rural communities, dealing with indices of rural deprivation, mobility and so on. This is important and helps us to understand the rural context in which we live out our faith and minister. But, too often they don't offer enough direct suggestion as to what we might actually do.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe chapters consider mission, worship, evangelism, messy church, fresh expressions, worship, discipleship, young people and multi-church ministry. I particularly appreciate the separate chapters on mission and evangelism. Too often these areas are conflated and the result is that being involved with people outside of the believing community is considered to be evangelism. In reality that is mission which creates the opportunity for a more direct sharing of faith and a challenge to discipleship. This book very helpfully, in my view, gets this right.My one small criticism of this book is that it's a bit Anglican. That is fully understandable. The ARC (http:\/\/www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk\/) is a largely Anglican organisation with a Methodist\/United Reformed Rural Officer. The book refers to a lot of ARC resources and programmes which can be used for anyone, although at times there is more of an Anglican flavour. The chapter on 'multi-church ministry' is a good example where the Methodist norm is discussed but rather than strengths and weaknesses of a rural circuit being considered there is more of an introduction to how Methodists do things for others. I think more could be learnt by Methodists and others by a sharper critique of the current Methodist circuit.This is a very good book that enables us to better understand the challenges and possibilities in rural mission and ministry. It does point to the need to produce more material that helps Methodists and other non-Anglicans understand their nuanced context. This is a fine resource that will benefit many.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size: 15px; text-align: left;\"\u003eRev'd Dr Stephen Skuce\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCountry Way magazine - January 2016\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe all know that society is changing rapidly and that there is a real need for Christians to find new and innovative ways of ensuring that the story of Jesus and the love of God, for this world, and us as individuals can still be heard and responded to.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat is not always so easy is finding the right models and ways for doing so. Resourcing Rural Ministry is therefore a 'must have' on the bookshelf of all those who wish to think about what God is saying to the rural church in this generation. In many ways rural church life comes with some unique opportunities as well as often being at the heart of the many challenges facing rural communities in the 21st century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhilst no book can offer all of the answers, and each context is unique, Resourcing Rural Ministry will help people to think about their rural context, the story the rural church has to tell and then to look at the mission opportunities this provides through practical ideas. The fundamentals of the Christian faith and being church are story, relationships and growing as disciples. This book is packed with helpful resources and background theology that speak into all of these areas and will aid the rural church to be a vibrant and relevant presence in today's society. God provides us with many opportunities to be more missional in our approach and outlook toward church and community life, and this book is a useful tool to help us grasp those opportunities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeter Ball\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e"}
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Resourcing Rural Ministry: Practical insights for mission
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{"id":14779316863356,"title":"Paul and His Friends in Leadership: How they changed the world","handle":"paul-and-his-friends-in-leadership-how-they-changed-the-world-1","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eThe more we understand biblical characters like the apostle Paul in their specific situations and in their own time, the more we will be able to apply biblical principles to today's church, its leaders and its mission-transforming and enriching the way we do church today. Paul and His Friends in Leadership examines the apostle Paul's critical relationships with key people, illustrating his humanity, faith, confidence in God and his leadership qualities. This novel approach, by an expert in the New Testament, will encourage us to reflect on leadership in the church today and help us to see how crucial authentic relationships are to our contemporary mission.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eContents\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePreface\u003cbr\u003ePaul's greatness\u003cbr\u003ePaul's life: a sketch\u003cbr\u003ePaul's calling, his mission and his churches\u003cbr\u003ePaul's mission to Cyprus and Galatia (AD47 - 48)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBarnabas, missionary leader\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaul's mission to the Aegean provinces (AD49 - 57)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSilvanus, missionary and translator\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTimothy, Paul's leading fellow worker\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLuke, beloved physician and author\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePriscilla and Aquila, merchants\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStephanas, servant of the saints\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGaius, host of the church in Corinth\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eApollos, passionate preacher\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eErastus, high-ranking city official\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTitus (part 1), Paul's ambassador\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEpaphras, evangelist\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhilemon, house-church leader\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOnesimus, runaway slave\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJohn Mark, author\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Asiarchs of Ephesus, leading citizens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhoebe, patroness in Cenchreae\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAristarchus, travel companion\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaul's mission in Rome (AD57)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAndronicus and Junia, Paul's kin\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRufus, 'chosen in the Lord'\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaul's last years (AD60 - 65)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEpaphroditus, carer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEuodia and Syntyche, fellow workers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTitus (part 2), evangelist in Crete\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOnesiphorus, earnest friend\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe origin of love in the writings of Paul\u003cbr\u003eThe significance of Paul's mission friends\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaul W. Barnett is a former Bishop of North Sydney, Australia, and lecturer in New Testament at Moore College, Sydney. He is the author of many well-received and influential books on the New Testament. His two interests are Christian ministry and the world of the early church. His passion is to encourage the practice of biblical principles for ministry in today's world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader, Summer 2018\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReview by David Sellick\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBarnett sets out to show that Paul was more of a 'people person' than he is often given credit for and that he offered caring leadership to those with whom he shared mission, so that together 'they changed the world', as the book's subtitle claims. In Acts and Paul's letters about 100 people are named and of these Barnett identifies about forty whom he regards as Paul's key 'mission colleagues'. All named people associated with Paul's missionary work from AD49 to 57 are introduced and discussed in as much detail as the author can amass. We know that Paul often mentions people by name in his letters, but Barnett cross references Acts and the letters to produce a mini-biography of each, thereby illustrating how Paul chose, trained and supported a string of fellow missionaries who so firmly established the emerging Christian church across the eastern Roman Empire to the imperial city itself. This is a fascinating complement to Pauline studies.\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-10-30T07:53:54+00:00","created_at":"2024-10-30T07:53:00+00:00","vendor":"Paul W Barnett","type":"eBook","tags":["Glassboxx","Leadership","Mission","Oct-17"],"price":799,"price_min":799,"price_max":799,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":53604687249788,"title":"eBook","option1":"eBook","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857465450","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Paul and His Friends in Leadership: How they changed the world - eBook","public_title":"eBook","options":["eBook"],"price":799,"weight":182,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857465450","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/247.png?v=1730980323","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/248.png?v=1730980332"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/247.png?v=1730980323","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":63001486262652,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/247.png?v=1730980323"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/247.png?v=1730980323","width":1303},{"alt":null,"id":63001488982396,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/248.png?v=1730980332"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/248.png?v=1730980332","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eThe more we understand biblical characters like the apostle Paul in their specific situations and in their own time, the more we will be able to apply biblical principles to today's church, its leaders and its mission-transforming and enriching the way we do church today. Paul and His Friends in Leadership examines the apostle Paul's critical relationships with key people, illustrating his humanity, faith, confidence in God and his leadership qualities. This novel approach, by an expert in the New Testament, will encourage us to reflect on leadership in the church today and help us to see how crucial authentic relationships are to our contemporary mission.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eContents\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePreface\u003cbr\u003ePaul's greatness\u003cbr\u003ePaul's life: a sketch\u003cbr\u003ePaul's calling, his mission and his churches\u003cbr\u003ePaul's mission to Cyprus and Galatia (AD47 - 48)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBarnabas, missionary leader\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaul's mission to the Aegean provinces (AD49 - 57)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSilvanus, missionary and translator\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTimothy, Paul's leading fellow worker\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLuke, beloved physician and author\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePriscilla and Aquila, merchants\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStephanas, servant of the saints\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGaius, host of the church in Corinth\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eApollos, passionate preacher\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eErastus, high-ranking city official\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTitus (part 1), Paul's ambassador\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEpaphras, evangelist\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhilemon, house-church leader\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOnesimus, runaway slave\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJohn Mark, author\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Asiarchs of Ephesus, leading citizens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhoebe, patroness in Cenchreae\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAristarchus, travel companion\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaul's mission in Rome (AD57)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAndronicus and Junia, Paul's kin\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRufus, 'chosen in the Lord'\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaul's last years (AD60 - 65)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEpaphroditus, carer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEuodia and Syntyche, fellow workers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTitus (part 2), evangelist in Crete\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOnesiphorus, earnest friend\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe origin of love in the writings of Paul\u003cbr\u003eThe significance of Paul's mission friends\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaul W. Barnett is a former Bishop of North Sydney, Australia, and lecturer in New Testament at Moore College, Sydney. He is the author of many well-received and influential books on the New Testament. His two interests are Christian ministry and the world of the early church. His passion is to encourage the practice of biblical principles for ministry in today's world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader, Summer 2018\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReview by David Sellick\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBarnett sets out to show that Paul was more of a 'people person' than he is often given credit for and that he offered caring leadership to those with whom he shared mission, so that together 'they changed the world', as the book's subtitle claims. In Acts and Paul's letters about 100 people are named and of these Barnett identifies about forty whom he regards as Paul's key 'mission colleagues'. All named people associated with Paul's missionary work from AD49 to 57 are introduced and discussed in as much detail as the author can amass. We know that Paul often mentions people by name in his letters, but Barnett cross references Acts and the letters to produce a mini-biography of each, thereby illustrating how Paul chose, trained and supported a string of fellow missionaries who so firmly established the emerging Christian church across the eastern Roman Empire to the imperial city itself. This is a fascinating complement to Pauline studies.\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Paul and His Friends in Leadership: How they changed the world
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Digital eBook Only - The more we understand biblical characters like the apostle Paul in their specific situations and in...
{"id":14779311489404,"title":"Stepping into Grace: Moving beyond ambition to contemplative mission","handle":"stepping-into-grace-moving-beyond-ambition-to-contemplative-mission-1","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eJourney with the prophet Jonah... Written by someone with experience of pioneering mission, reflecting on the Jonah story in the light of his experience, Stepping into Grace finds powerful connections between the call and mission of Jonah and the mission context of our own time. Using the narrative thread of the biblical story to explore themes of ambition, vocation, spirituality, mission, leadership and personal growth, it argues for a ministry rooted in grace, where who we are becoming in Christ provides a foundation for our participation in the mission of God. This unique journey takes us to a place of grace where the work of God, in shaping who we are, finds space alongside what we feel called to do.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen the people of the Bible needed to work out their choices and challenges of God and faith they told a story. Paul Bradbury has done the same. He has listened, wrestled and travelled with Jonah's story through his own calling. The result is honest, creative and transforming.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e David Runcorn, author of Dust and Glory (BRF, 2015) \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo quote the paraphrase: \"God's strength shows up best in weak people.\" This book unpacks that truth in a refreshingly humble, inspiring and personal way. A must read for aspiring pioneer leaders.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Phil Potter, Leader of Fresh Expressions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBased in Poole Paul is a pioneer minister in the Church of England leading a missional community with a vision to connect with unchurched people. Writer, birdwatcher, runner, cricketer. Married to Emily with 2 children. Paul has written a book for SPCK in the past.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Church Time 31 March 2017\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eProphet to pioneers\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSteven Croft finds a study of Jonah to be required reading\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Book of Jonah is bigger than it looks. Four short chapters of parable, drama, and psalm hide uneasily among the minor prophets. The story delights children and defies the literalists. Jonah's story, read well, draws us into an ever deepening reflection on our calling and life and service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaul Bradbury's short guide to Jonah is also somewhat bigger than it looks. There are seven short chapters on themes that arise jointly from the text and from Paul's experience of pioneer ministry in Poole. The chapters explore big themes: ambition, fear, chaos, darkness, limits, grace and the contemplative life. For me, the most helpful chapters were the first and the last.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book owes an acknowledged debt to Eugene Peterson's profound reflection on Jonah (Under the Unpredictable Plant: A study in vocational holiness, Eerdmans, 1992), which I have read at almost every vocational junction. The insights from text and context here are fresh. Peterson's book is shaped to be a call to a long obedience in the same direction. Bradbury is wrestling with the call to pioneer in new forms and places and styles. He challenges some emerging myths about new forms of ministry and wrestles with some classic temptations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe scholarship is excellent. I enjoyed most the careful attention to the Hebrew texts. Bradbury quotes Rowan Williams, Richard Rohr, Pope Benedict, Brene Brown, and many others. The writing is in parts very clear and in other parts very dense and concentrated. The author has almost too much to say in some of the chapters for the space available.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePioneer ministry is still a relatively recent development in the Church of England's long experience of ministry. The literature remains small, and I am not aware of many books that offer biblical and theological reflection in this depth. I hope that Stepping into Grace will find a place on reading lists for those considering ordination and those being formed for pioneer ministry. It would be a good Lenten companion for anyone wanting to reflect on ministry and discipleship in any context. The reader should be prepared for challenge as well as fresh insight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Dr Steven Croft, Bishop of Oxford\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-10-30T07:51:43+00:00","created_at":"2024-10-30T07:50:19+00:00","vendor":"Paul Bradbury","type":"eBook","tags":["Biblical engagement","For individuals","Glassboxx","Mission","Nov-16","Spirituality"],"price":799,"price_min":799,"price_max":799,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":53604686201212,"title":"eBook","option1":"eBook","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857465276","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Stepping into Grace: Moving beyond ambition to contemplative mission - eBook","public_title":"eBook","options":["eBook"],"price":799,"weight":164,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857465276","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/245.png?v=1730980374","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/246.png?v=1730980378"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/245.png?v=1730980374","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":63001497960828,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/245.png?v=1730980374"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/245.png?v=1730980374","width":1303},{"alt":null,"id":63001499533692,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/246.png?v=1730980378"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/246.png?v=1730980378","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eJourney with the prophet Jonah... Written by someone with experience of pioneering mission, reflecting on the Jonah story in the light of his experience, Stepping into Grace finds powerful connections between the call and mission of Jonah and the mission context of our own time. Using the narrative thread of the biblical story to explore themes of ambition, vocation, spirituality, mission, leadership and personal growth, it argues for a ministry rooted in grace, where who we are becoming in Christ provides a foundation for our participation in the mission of God. This unique journey takes us to a place of grace where the work of God, in shaping who we are, finds space alongside what we feel called to do.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen the people of the Bible needed to work out their choices and challenges of God and faith they told a story. Paul Bradbury has done the same. He has listened, wrestled and travelled with Jonah's story through his own calling. The result is honest, creative and transforming.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e David Runcorn, author of Dust and Glory (BRF, 2015) \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo quote the paraphrase: \"God's strength shows up best in weak people.\" This book unpacks that truth in a refreshingly humble, inspiring and personal way. A must read for aspiring pioneer leaders.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Phil Potter, Leader of Fresh Expressions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBased in Poole Paul is a pioneer minister in the Church of England leading a missional community with a vision to connect with unchurched people. Writer, birdwatcher, runner, cricketer. Married to Emily with 2 children. Paul has written a book for SPCK in the past.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Church Time 31 March 2017\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eProphet to pioneers\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSteven Croft finds a study of Jonah to be required reading\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Book of Jonah is bigger than it looks. Four short chapters of parable, drama, and psalm hide uneasily among the minor prophets. The story delights children and defies the literalists. Jonah's story, read well, draws us into an ever deepening reflection on our calling and life and service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaul Bradbury's short guide to Jonah is also somewhat bigger than it looks. There are seven short chapters on themes that arise jointly from the text and from Paul's experience of pioneer ministry in Poole. The chapters explore big themes: ambition, fear, chaos, darkness, limits, grace and the contemplative life. For me, the most helpful chapters were the first and the last.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book owes an acknowledged debt to Eugene Peterson's profound reflection on Jonah (Under the Unpredictable Plant: A study in vocational holiness, Eerdmans, 1992), which I have read at almost every vocational junction. The insights from text and context here are fresh. Peterson's book is shaped to be a call to a long obedience in the same direction. Bradbury is wrestling with the call to pioneer in new forms and places and styles. He challenges some emerging myths about new forms of ministry and wrestles with some classic temptations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe scholarship is excellent. I enjoyed most the careful attention to the Hebrew texts. Bradbury quotes Rowan Williams, Richard Rohr, Pope Benedict, Brene Brown, and many others. The writing is in parts very clear and in other parts very dense and concentrated. The author has almost too much to say in some of the chapters for the space available.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePioneer ministry is still a relatively recent development in the Church of England's long experience of ministry. The literature remains small, and I am not aware of many books that offer biblical and theological reflection in this depth. I hope that Stepping into Grace will find a place on reading lists for those considering ordination and those being formed for pioneer ministry. It would be a good Lenten companion for anyone wanting to reflect on ministry and discipleship in any context. The reader should be prepared for challenge as well as fresh insight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Dr Steven Croft, Bishop of Oxford\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Stepping into Grace: Moving beyond ambition to contemplative mission
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{"id":14777380405628,"title":"The Contemplative Struggle: Radical discipleship in a broken world","handle":"the-contemplative-struggle-radical-discipleship-in-a-broken-world-1","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eHow do we embrace and work out our call to be disciples in a broken world? In \u003cem\u003eThe Contemplative Struggle\u003c\/em\u003e Ian Cowley sets the central themes of the gospel of John alongside each other – abiding in Christ, conflict, light and darkness, obedience, loving one another – and explores how these can be reconciled in daily life. Drawing on his experience of living in his native South Africa during the apartheid era and challenging understandings of contemplative prayer and spirituality as essentially inward-looking, he highlights the urgent need for Christians to be active in bringing transformation to a suffering world and paints a compelling picture of radical discipleship for today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Just as we are all meant to be contemplatives and to hear the voice of God in our lives, we are all meant to answer God’s call to be his partners in transfiguring the world. This calling, this encounter with God, is always to send us into the midst of human suffering.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArchbishop Desmond Tutu\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIan Cowley is an Anglican priest who has served in parish ministry in South Africa, Sheffield, Cambridge and Peterborough. From 2008 to 2016 he was Coordinator of Spirituality and Vocations in the Diocese of Salisbury, where he set up and developed the Contemplative Minister programme. He is the author of five books on spirituality, discipleship and the local church.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere is a much-needed book: the story of the battle against racism, injustice, poverty, held in tension with the necessity of time for contemplation. We need to hear it – there is much here that applies to our world today.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEsther de Waal, writer and scholar\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI do appreciate Ian Cowley’s interleaving of storytelling with spiritual reflection. It is good to have the story of UCM told to a wider audience than South Africa.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIan’s tribute to Steve Biko is welcome and true, and so is his account of white students’ struggle on the matter of conscription.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis major concern with contemplation fits well into his account of this crucial time in the South African church struggle... \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJohn D Davies, former bishop of Shrewsbury and one-time national chaplain of the Anglican Students’ Federation of South Africa\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat an incredible book this is! I was deeply moved reading it. It is very inspiring and ignited a hope that we can be agents of change in this world. As someone who has known the value of contemplative prayer and practice in my own life, it felt like a gentle call back to that which I know and love, without being remotely judgemental. In fact, the whole book brings a wonderful balance of challenge without condemnation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI pray that all who read this book will examine afresh their response to the issues raised and explore the riches of contemplative prayer for themselves.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLouise Rose, community projects manager, Fresh Hope Ministry, Stamford\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Contemplative Struggle\u003c\/em\u003e is a generous gift and a profound challenge. Ian Cowley draws on a deep well of (sometimes painful) personal experience to pour out this vision of contemplation in action. If you’re tired of rootless activism and otherworldly spirituality, and you’re looking for the common ground where prayer and protest can flourish, you need to read this book.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChris Webb, deputy warden of Launde Abbey and author of \u003cem\u003eGod Soaked Life\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry Winter 2021. Review by Margaret Ives\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are many books about contemplative prayer as a way of finding one’s true self in an experience of the Divine Presence. This book is unusual in that, while it proclaims that the constant awareness of God in our lives is essential, this is not sufficient to solve our current problems unless it inspires us to ‘radical discipleship in a broken world’. Growing up in South Africa during apartheid, Cowley came to realise that ‘being rooted and grounded in love’ is not a hidden treasure, but must be demonstrated in action against racism and injustice. Looking back, he remembers how hope in God, arising from contemplative prayer, enabled him to work alongside the black consciousness movement in their struggle to change the system, even though the odds were against them. Similarly, he believes, Christians today must use a heightened awareness of God’s love for everything in creation to join with those combating climate change and environmental disaster. This is an inspirational book which does not get bogged down in polemics, but offers a guide to contemplative prayer and some practical steps we can all take towards saving the planet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Margaret Ives\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Merton Journal Advent 2021 (Volume 28 no 2). Review by Ben Hopkinson\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHow ephemeral, and how localised, is our consciousness of history. That is why there have to be historians and history departments, because, so easily, what we know of the horrors some people are living through either goes quickly to the back of the mind or, by the next generation, becomes an unknown. Our attitude of localisation means that what happens to others may seem to have nothing to do with us. So Jewish people, for instance, have to campaign to keep the memory of the holocaust alive, and, while there may be an especially tense rivalry in games of football between England and Germany, how many remember what fascism really meant as a threat to the world? And Tiananmen Square?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI say this because Ian Cowley's short but powerful book finds the\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eorigins of what was, to him, the revelation of prayer as contemplation, in the racial cauldron of South Africa in the depths of the apartheid regime of the last century.1 His epiphany came through the University Christian Movement when he was a student at the University of Natal in Pietermaritzberg in the 1970s. There he came to understand the terrible sinfulness of the racial divide that ruled South Africa, and his life's course was changed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor me, Cowley's vivid account of South African life was a revision lesson. I was serving in Botswana at that time and, although it was a country with a quite different ethos, we in the Church were not isolated and were very aware of what was going on with our neighbours, not only South Africa but Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) as well. I became peripherally involved in some anti-apartheid activity that crossed the border and drew me in, so I relate to Cowley's descriptions. I knew some of the people he talks about, and reading his book I was taken back to a time which, while key in my life, has been overlaid by layers of subsequent life and work. Even experience has an ephemeral quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHence the thoughts about the ephemeral quality of contemporary\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ehistory. Who remembers even the word apartheid now, other than in an intellectual sense, apart from those who suffered it? The question applies even more strongly to those who are not South Africans. While there were, in Britain, some noble anti-apartheid activists who helped to cause profound change, their activity was outside the main stream of life and often looked upon with suspicion. Most people got on with life without worrying about South Africa. Now, bar Covid, that country is a favourite of tourists, who return to Europe unbrushed by a history that was all consuming at the time and still has many offshoots. Most were unborn when apartheid reigned.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI have to ask, then, whether for Cowley to use his South African life as a base for his argument is too esoteric. I hope not and I am sure it need not be, for not only does it gain great strength from being so personal, but it also makes us think into situations beyond our own circles. To think ourselves into apartheid South Africa is a good exercise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'There were giants on the earth in those days' is a quotation which comes to mind.2 South Africa was then, and still is, an extraordinary country, captivating, in the sense of drawing you in until you are engrossed. It is a land of wonderful beauty but what astounded me even more were the people one met. The mass of the people are a very interesting historical and anthropological mix, with their histories, cultures and divisions, but I will concentrate on two smaller sets: those implementing the apartheid policy and those who opposed them, struggling for what was later called, by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a \u003cstrong\u003e'rainbow nation'.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first thing to say is that these people were honed by apartheid. The giant of apartheid was Hendrick Vervoerd, the SA president who was assassinated in 1966. He gave the philosophical basis to the National Party's policy of racial separation and white dominance, which was implemented ruthlessly. It was a giant endeavour, and the skills developed by the Bureau of State Security (BOSS) were second to none. Their use of technology was as sophisticated as possible for that time, and their information gathering work was everywhere. Furthermore, they knew what was going on elsewhere in the world, and could use it very cleverly in persuading people to conform.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe resistors were also people of exceptional knowledge, understanding and courage. There are great names: Nelson Mandela, Albert Luthuli, Helen Suzman, the Black Sash leaders, Beyers Naude, Trevor Huddlestone, Desmond Tutu, Steve Biko, to name but a few. But there were many, many more who worked and witnessed at continual \u003cspan\u003erisk to themselves, both from BOSS and also from being denigrated by the mass of whites happy with apartheid. Organisations like the University Christian Movement (UCM) were banned and many people had their passports removed or were put under house arrest. I felt both very \u003c\/span\u003efortunate and also hugely humbled to meet some of these women and men. I did not meet Ian Cowley, but I am confident that he would be of these giants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the most noticeable aspects of the struggle against apartheid and for justice was how it had such a strong Christian motivation. I have to be careful here, because Christianity was active on both sides. The Afrikaner Dutch Reformed Church played a significant part in giving theological justification to apartheid, yet there were some notable DRC giants, the Bonhoeffers of their day, who rebelled against this, and were thrown out of the church. They played a great part. Nevertheless, it was very much among people from other churches that the understanding grew that the Christian law of love meant equality applied universally.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCowley grew up on a Natal farm, with church, Anglican and formal, on Sundays, remembered as very boring. It was at university that faith caught him through the remarkable, if short lived, UCM. He describes how vibrant student worship attracted him and how he worked through the trauma - for it was a trauma - of mixing with people of other races and finding them human. After some vicissitudes, he hears his vocation to the priesthood in the Anglican Church of the Province of South Africa and eventually he comes to England, where he is first a parish priest and then Coordinator of Vocations and Spirituality in the Diocese of Salisbury, where he set up the Contemplative Minister Programme.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe great question that runs through the book is: what does it mean to be held firm in Christ in the centre of our being and to live with integrity in the 21st century? Through his student days he comes to see the sinfulness of the way power is held and exercised in South Africa, and to long for the justice that he discovers through his Christian faith. How does he hold the two in balance, so that the one undergirds the other? In other words, there is a double question: on the one hand, how can you be an activist, mixing in the hurly, sometimes unsavoury, burly of life and be true to Christ? On the other, how can you be true to Christ without, in some way, being mixed up in the difficult life of practising the love of neighbour in all its roughness? Through friends and mentors and the trial and error of trying to live a life for justice, with mistakes and setbacks and leaps forward, he discovers prayer as God's invitation to see the world with His eyes and to feel it as He feels it. He reads Merton and his development from longing to be solitary to understanding that the world needs the witness of the contemplative if it is ever going to overcome evil with good, and that means that the contemplative has to know and be known.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNow in South Africa the struggle against apartheid is over and an enormous wickedness has been demolished. In fact, though, when one injustice is stricken, the hydra of evil raises another. A strength of Cowley's book is that it is not only a memoir but makes use of his experience to show how Christian love is showing up many other aspects of life on the planet which threaten true human living, that is living as the \u003cspan\u003epeople of God. As we are drawn in to the presence of God, how do we live with the divide of rich and poor and with other forms of inequality; with climate change; with war, national ambition and xenophobia; with the continuing oppression of peoples in many parts of the world; with homelessness in our own country? The list goes on and on. Simply, how do we help to make the world more Godly, restoring the creation which \u003c\/span\u003eHe saw was good?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eContemplative prayer is not shown as an opt-out but as the source of strength and ability. It is a struggle because of our fallen human nature, which is continually being pressed to sway one way or another. A hard struggle, but contemplation shows us how to 'put on the whole armour of God, for our struggle is not against the enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly places.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Contemplative Struggle \u003c\/em\u003eis written to encourage us workaday Christians as we try to follow Jesus in our daily lives. In this it certainly succeeds, and the author adds an excellent introduction to contemplative practice as an appendix.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo years ago I reviewed Ian Cowley's previous book, \u003cem\u003eThe \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eContemplative Response: Leadership and Ministry in a Distracted Culture. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eI suggested that it needed another volume, looking at how we can bring understanding of the love of God to the world outside the Christian community. In many ways this book does this, but may I ask Ian to set fingers to word processor once more and tackle the question of the contemplative response to the problems posed by today's atheists. When we talk of God in a universe of which astrophysics has revolutionised our understanding, how is He showing us how to talk of Him and act as His people? I find this an urgent question to stir the hearts of many. To ask an author for another book is, surely, a compliment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNotes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1. Apartheid was the policy of segregation and political, social, and economic\u003cbr\u003ediscrimination against the non-white majority in the Republic of South\u003cbr\u003eAfrica. The extreme racial segregation of apartheid lasted from 1948 to 1994 and included such restrictions as where people of certain races could live or own land, what jobs they could hold, and who could and couldn't participate \u003cstrong\u003ein government.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2. Genesis 6:4\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3. Ephesians 6 :11-12.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBen Hopkinson \u003c\/strong\u003eis a priest, living in retirement in Northumberland. He was in the kindergarten of contemplation in 2019 and has still to enter the reception class.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 25.06.21. Review by John D. Davies\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIan Cowley is a white South African man, born nearly 70 years ago, brought up in the benign rural environment of Natal. If he had fulfilled expectations, he would have become a conventional Anglican gentleman, a superior English-speaking member of the white race.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e But Cowley’s life took a somewhat different course. His book is primarily about spirituality; but, to convey his message, he has to tell something of his life-story. This starts with his entry into the University of Natal in Pietermaritzburg, to study law and business administration. By the time that he started at university, the 1959 Extension of University Education Act had taken effect.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis created a scattered establishment of black tribal colleges, segregated on racial and ethnic criteria. The previously ‘open’ universities, in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Natal, were restricted to white students only; they became white tribal colleges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut there were vigorous national student bodies; these functioned on these segregated campuses, but they flourished as racially integrated organisations at regional and national level. For both black and white students, their conferences provided a converting experience, an alternative vision of society, where black and white people could meet as genuine friends and not only on a master\/servant basis; and this was at a time when the apartheid machine was grinding ever more successfully, and when hope for change was wearing very thin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe integrated organisations enabled the generation of courageous, independent-minded students, who were prepared to defy the expectations of parents, teachers, and government. They included the Anglican Students’ Federation and the ecumenical University Christian Movement. For Cowley, they opened up a whole new world. They brought him into contact with impressive characters of all race-groups, people such as the dynamic black students’ leader Steve Biko (who would, in my view, have become the natural successor to President Mandela, if he had not been cruelly done to death by the Security Police).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese ecumenical organisations were viewed with suspicion by some other Christians, notably by Evangelicals who had been caught up in the newly arrived Charismatic Movement. For them, the ecumenical groups were unbiblical humanists, dangerous quasi-Marxists. For the ecumenical types, the Evangelicals were pietistic, concerned only with their individual salvation, indifferent to the injustices experienced by most of the population. But, for those who were impressed by the Black Consciousness influence, this hassle was merely white people’s games, irrelevant luxury. The Anglican Bishop Alphaeus Zulu summarised their position: ‘We Africans have no need of a Charismatic Movement — we have always been charismatic, without any pressure from outside.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeople like Cowley were attracted by the Evangelical emphasis on conversion, but it had to include conversion from the heresies and illusions of apartheid, which were otherwise winning all the battles. A new ingredient was being discovered in the Christian mix. This was where Cowley found himself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCowley was deeply drawn to the insights of medieval spiritual teachers such as Richard Rolle and Thomas à Kempis, and Thomas Merton of our own day. This is the kind of commitment which underlies his book. Readers who are interested in spirituality will be attracted by his excellent summary of the discipline of contemplation. But, to get there, they will need to work through Cowley’s exploration of the demonic powers of racism, financial injustice, and indifference to the degradation of the environment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis spirituality has been formed in a situation of loss, of oppression, of cruelty, when all the signs were that the powers of evil were winning. His kind of contemplation draws us to awareness of God’s critique of the disobedience in our human systems, and into commitment to the struggle for the realisation of God’s Kingdom. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd this is not only for South Africa; Cowley was ordained priest in his native land and served in parish ministry there. But he came to England some years ago, and has been a parish priest and adviser in spirituality in English dioceses. For South Africa and for Britain, his book provides a well-formed and personally validated guidance concerning the claims of our Creator upon our obedience and our energies. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Rt Revd John D. Davies was National Chaplain to the Anglican Students’ Federation of Southern Africa, and Convener of the Council of Churches’ Commission which created the University Christian Movement\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Nicholas King SJ\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eChristians are often charged with being of 'no earthly use' (because their gaze is fixed on the heavens); evangelicals find themselves accused of giving insufficient time to contemplative prayer; white Christian South Africans often have it alleged against them that their discipleship is pure self-indulgence, because they benefited so largely from the sin of apartheid; and that the Roman Catholic tradition has nothing to offer Christians today. In this splendid book, those four myths are soundly 'busted': Ian Cowley is an evangelical Christian who has given himself to transform this unjust world into something that looks like the Kingdom of God; he has for many years as a busy Anglican priest given himself over to the practice of solitary contemplative prayer (and offers some useful tips about how to approach it). More than that, he is a white South African whose Christianity drove him, at some considerable cost, to engage in student activism against the apartheid regime, and who reveals his immense admiration for Steve Biko, who died that appalling death in the hands of the SA Police. He has, moreover, drunk gratefully of the waters of the Roman Catholic contemplative tradition, including Thomas a Kempis, Richard Rolle, and that remarkable Cistercian monk, Thomas Merton. He has, besides, the Protestant gift of a solid grasp of Scripture and the awareness that it can change your life. He was also alert to the dangers of environmental pollution at a time when such interests were dismissed as mindlessly sentimental “tree-hugging”. Nowadays we wish that more students had followed his example, half a century ago. This book is to be warmly recommended.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-10-29T11:35:35+00:00","created_at":"2024-10-29T11:34:31+00:00","vendor":"Ian Cowley","type":"eBook","tags":["Discipleship","Glassboxx","Leadership","Mar-21","Mission"],"price":899,"price_min":899,"price_max":899,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":53603952853372,"title":"eBook","option1":"eBook","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857469830","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"The Contemplative Struggle: Radical discipleship in a broken world - eBook","public_title":"eBook","options":["eBook"],"price":899,"weight":163,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857469830","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/228.png?v=1730980387","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/229.png?v=1730980378"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/228.png?v=1730980387","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":63001501991292,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/228.png?v=1730980387"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/228.png?v=1730980387","width":1303},{"alt":null,"id":63001499631996,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/229.png?v=1730980378"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/229.png?v=1730980378","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eHow do we embrace and work out our call to be disciples in a broken world? In \u003cem\u003eThe Contemplative Struggle\u003c\/em\u003e Ian Cowley sets the central themes of the gospel of John alongside each other – abiding in Christ, conflict, light and darkness, obedience, loving one another – and explores how these can be reconciled in daily life. Drawing on his experience of living in his native South Africa during the apartheid era and challenging understandings of contemplative prayer and spirituality as essentially inward-looking, he highlights the urgent need for Christians to be active in bringing transformation to a suffering world and paints a compelling picture of radical discipleship for today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Just as we are all meant to be contemplatives and to hear the voice of God in our lives, we are all meant to answer God’s call to be his partners in transfiguring the world. This calling, this encounter with God, is always to send us into the midst of human suffering.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArchbishop Desmond Tutu\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIan Cowley is an Anglican priest who has served in parish ministry in South Africa, Sheffield, Cambridge and Peterborough. From 2008 to 2016 he was Coordinator of Spirituality and Vocations in the Diocese of Salisbury, where he set up and developed the Contemplative Minister programme. He is the author of five books on spirituality, discipleship and the local church.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere is a much-needed book: the story of the battle against racism, injustice, poverty, held in tension with the necessity of time for contemplation. We need to hear it – there is much here that applies to our world today.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEsther de Waal, writer and scholar\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI do appreciate Ian Cowley’s interleaving of storytelling with spiritual reflection. It is good to have the story of UCM told to a wider audience than South Africa.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIan’s tribute to Steve Biko is welcome and true, and so is his account of white students’ struggle on the matter of conscription.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis major concern with contemplation fits well into his account of this crucial time in the South African church struggle... \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJohn D Davies, former bishop of Shrewsbury and one-time national chaplain of the Anglican Students’ Federation of South Africa\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat an incredible book this is! I was deeply moved reading it. It is very inspiring and ignited a hope that we can be agents of change in this world. As someone who has known the value of contemplative prayer and practice in my own life, it felt like a gentle call back to that which I know and love, without being remotely judgemental. In fact, the whole book brings a wonderful balance of challenge without condemnation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI pray that all who read this book will examine afresh their response to the issues raised and explore the riches of contemplative prayer for themselves.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLouise Rose, community projects manager, Fresh Hope Ministry, Stamford\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Contemplative Struggle\u003c\/em\u003e is a generous gift and a profound challenge. Ian Cowley draws on a deep well of (sometimes painful) personal experience to pour out this vision of contemplation in action. If you’re tired of rootless activism and otherworldly spirituality, and you’re looking for the common ground where prayer and protest can flourish, you need to read this book.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChris Webb, deputy warden of Launde Abbey and author of \u003cem\u003eGod Soaked Life\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry Winter 2021. Review by Margaret Ives\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are many books about contemplative prayer as a way of finding one’s true self in an experience of the Divine Presence. This book is unusual in that, while it proclaims that the constant awareness of God in our lives is essential, this is not sufficient to solve our current problems unless it inspires us to ‘radical discipleship in a broken world’. Growing up in South Africa during apartheid, Cowley came to realise that ‘being rooted and grounded in love’ is not a hidden treasure, but must be demonstrated in action against racism and injustice. Looking back, he remembers how hope in God, arising from contemplative prayer, enabled him to work alongside the black consciousness movement in their struggle to change the system, even though the odds were against them. Similarly, he believes, Christians today must use a heightened awareness of God’s love for everything in creation to join with those combating climate change and environmental disaster. This is an inspirational book which does not get bogged down in polemics, but offers a guide to contemplative prayer and some practical steps we can all take towards saving the planet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Margaret Ives\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Merton Journal Advent 2021 (Volume 28 no 2). Review by Ben Hopkinson\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHow ephemeral, and how localised, is our consciousness of history. That is why there have to be historians and history departments, because, so easily, what we know of the horrors some people are living through either goes quickly to the back of the mind or, by the next generation, becomes an unknown. Our attitude of localisation means that what happens to others may seem to have nothing to do with us. So Jewish people, for instance, have to campaign to keep the memory of the holocaust alive, and, while there may be an especially tense rivalry in games of football between England and Germany, how many remember what fascism really meant as a threat to the world? And Tiananmen Square?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI say this because Ian Cowley's short but powerful book finds the\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eorigins of what was, to him, the revelation of prayer as contemplation, in the racial cauldron of South Africa in the depths of the apartheid regime of the last century.1 His epiphany came through the University Christian Movement when he was a student at the University of Natal in Pietermaritzberg in the 1970s. There he came to understand the terrible sinfulness of the racial divide that ruled South Africa, and his life's course was changed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor me, Cowley's vivid account of South African life was a revision lesson. I was serving in Botswana at that time and, although it was a country with a quite different ethos, we in the Church were not isolated and were very aware of what was going on with our neighbours, not only South Africa but Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) as well. I became peripherally involved in some anti-apartheid activity that crossed the border and drew me in, so I relate to Cowley's descriptions. I knew some of the people he talks about, and reading his book I was taken back to a time which, while key in my life, has been overlaid by layers of subsequent life and work. Even experience has an ephemeral quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHence the thoughts about the ephemeral quality of contemporary\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ehistory. Who remembers even the word apartheid now, other than in an intellectual sense, apart from those who suffered it? The question applies even more strongly to those who are not South Africans. While there were, in Britain, some noble anti-apartheid activists who helped to cause profound change, their activity was outside the main stream of life and often looked upon with suspicion. Most people got on with life without worrying about South Africa. Now, bar Covid, that country is a favourite of tourists, who return to Europe unbrushed by a history that was all consuming at the time and still has many offshoots. Most were unborn when apartheid reigned.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI have to ask, then, whether for Cowley to use his South African life as a base for his argument is too esoteric. I hope not and I am sure it need not be, for not only does it gain great strength from being so personal, but it also makes us think into situations beyond our own circles. To think ourselves into apartheid South Africa is a good exercise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'There were giants on the earth in those days' is a quotation which comes to mind.2 South Africa was then, and still is, an extraordinary country, captivating, in the sense of drawing you in until you are engrossed. It is a land of wonderful beauty but what astounded me even more were the people one met. The mass of the people are a very interesting historical and anthropological mix, with their histories, cultures and divisions, but I will concentrate on two smaller sets: those implementing the apartheid policy and those who opposed them, struggling for what was later called, by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a \u003cstrong\u003e'rainbow nation'.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first thing to say is that these people were honed by apartheid. The giant of apartheid was Hendrick Vervoerd, the SA president who was assassinated in 1966. He gave the philosophical basis to the National Party's policy of racial separation and white dominance, which was implemented ruthlessly. It was a giant endeavour, and the skills developed by the Bureau of State Security (BOSS) were second to none. Their use of technology was as sophisticated as possible for that time, and their information gathering work was everywhere. Furthermore, they knew what was going on elsewhere in the world, and could use it very cleverly in persuading people to conform.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe resistors were also people of exceptional knowledge, understanding and courage. There are great names: Nelson Mandela, Albert Luthuli, Helen Suzman, the Black Sash leaders, Beyers Naude, Trevor Huddlestone, Desmond Tutu, Steve Biko, to name but a few. But there were many, many more who worked and witnessed at continual \u003cspan\u003erisk to themselves, both from BOSS and also from being denigrated by the mass of whites happy with apartheid. Organisations like the University Christian Movement (UCM) were banned and many people had their passports removed or were put under house arrest. I felt both very \u003c\/span\u003efortunate and also hugely humbled to meet some of these women and men. I did not meet Ian Cowley, but I am confident that he would be of these giants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the most noticeable aspects of the struggle against apartheid and for justice was how it had such a strong Christian motivation. I have to be careful here, because Christianity was active on both sides. The Afrikaner Dutch Reformed Church played a significant part in giving theological justification to apartheid, yet there were some notable DRC giants, the Bonhoeffers of their day, who rebelled against this, and were thrown out of the church. They played a great part. Nevertheless, it was very much among people from other churches that the understanding grew that the Christian law of love meant equality applied universally.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCowley grew up on a Natal farm, with church, Anglican and formal, on Sundays, remembered as very boring. It was at university that faith caught him through the remarkable, if short lived, UCM. He describes how vibrant student worship attracted him and how he worked through the trauma - for it was a trauma - of mixing with people of other races and finding them human. After some vicissitudes, he hears his vocation to the priesthood in the Anglican Church of the Province of South Africa and eventually he comes to England, where he is first a parish priest and then Coordinator of Vocations and Spirituality in the Diocese of Salisbury, where he set up the Contemplative Minister Programme.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe great question that runs through the book is: what does it mean to be held firm in Christ in the centre of our being and to live with integrity in the 21st century? Through his student days he comes to see the sinfulness of the way power is held and exercised in South Africa, and to long for the justice that he discovers through his Christian faith. How does he hold the two in balance, so that the one undergirds the other? In other words, there is a double question: on the one hand, how can you be an activist, mixing in the hurly, sometimes unsavoury, burly of life and be true to Christ? On the other, how can you be true to Christ without, in some way, being mixed up in the difficult life of practising the love of neighbour in all its roughness? Through friends and mentors and the trial and error of trying to live a life for justice, with mistakes and setbacks and leaps forward, he discovers prayer as God's invitation to see the world with His eyes and to feel it as He feels it. He reads Merton and his development from longing to be solitary to understanding that the world needs the witness of the contemplative if it is ever going to overcome evil with good, and that means that the contemplative has to know and be known.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNow in South Africa the struggle against apartheid is over and an enormous wickedness has been demolished. In fact, though, when one injustice is stricken, the hydra of evil raises another. A strength of Cowley's book is that it is not only a memoir but makes use of his experience to show how Christian love is showing up many other aspects of life on the planet which threaten true human living, that is living as the \u003cspan\u003epeople of God. As we are drawn in to the presence of God, how do we live with the divide of rich and poor and with other forms of inequality; with climate change; with war, national ambition and xenophobia; with the continuing oppression of peoples in many parts of the world; with homelessness in our own country? The list goes on and on. Simply, how do we help to make the world more Godly, restoring the creation which \u003c\/span\u003eHe saw was good?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eContemplative prayer is not shown as an opt-out but as the source of strength and ability. It is a struggle because of our fallen human nature, which is continually being pressed to sway one way or another. A hard struggle, but contemplation shows us how to 'put on the whole armour of God, for our struggle is not against the enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly places.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Contemplative Struggle \u003c\/em\u003eis written to encourage us workaday Christians as we try to follow Jesus in our daily lives. In this it certainly succeeds, and the author adds an excellent introduction to contemplative practice as an appendix.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo years ago I reviewed Ian Cowley's previous book, \u003cem\u003eThe \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eContemplative Response: Leadership and Ministry in a Distracted Culture. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eI suggested that it needed another volume, looking at how we can bring understanding of the love of God to the world outside the Christian community. In many ways this book does this, but may I ask Ian to set fingers to word processor once more and tackle the question of the contemplative response to the problems posed by today's atheists. When we talk of God in a universe of which astrophysics has revolutionised our understanding, how is He showing us how to talk of Him and act as His people? I find this an urgent question to stir the hearts of many. To ask an author for another book is, surely, a compliment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNotes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1. Apartheid was the policy of segregation and political, social, and economic\u003cbr\u003ediscrimination against the non-white majority in the Republic of South\u003cbr\u003eAfrica. The extreme racial segregation of apartheid lasted from 1948 to 1994 and included such restrictions as where people of certain races could live or own land, what jobs they could hold, and who could and couldn't participate \u003cstrong\u003ein government.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2. Genesis 6:4\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3. Ephesians 6 :11-12.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBen Hopkinson \u003c\/strong\u003eis a priest, living in retirement in Northumberland. He was in the kindergarten of contemplation in 2019 and has still to enter the reception class.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 25.06.21. Review by John D. Davies\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIan Cowley is a white South African man, born nearly 70 years ago, brought up in the benign rural environment of Natal. If he had fulfilled expectations, he would have become a conventional Anglican gentleman, a superior English-speaking member of the white race.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e But Cowley’s life took a somewhat different course. His book is primarily about spirituality; but, to convey his message, he has to tell something of his life-story. This starts with his entry into the University of Natal in Pietermaritzburg, to study law and business administration. By the time that he started at university, the 1959 Extension of University Education Act had taken effect.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis created a scattered establishment of black tribal colleges, segregated on racial and ethnic criteria. The previously ‘open’ universities, in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Natal, were restricted to white students only; they became white tribal colleges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut there were vigorous national student bodies; these functioned on these segregated campuses, but they flourished as racially integrated organisations at regional and national level. For both black and white students, their conferences provided a converting experience, an alternative vision of society, where black and white people could meet as genuine friends and not only on a master\/servant basis; and this was at a time when the apartheid machine was grinding ever more successfully, and when hope for change was wearing very thin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe integrated organisations enabled the generation of courageous, independent-minded students, who were prepared to defy the expectations of parents, teachers, and government. They included the Anglican Students’ Federation and the ecumenical University Christian Movement. For Cowley, they opened up a whole new world. They brought him into contact with impressive characters of all race-groups, people such as the dynamic black students’ leader Steve Biko (who would, in my view, have become the natural successor to President Mandela, if he had not been cruelly done to death by the Security Police).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese ecumenical organisations were viewed with suspicion by some other Christians, notably by Evangelicals who had been caught up in the newly arrived Charismatic Movement. For them, the ecumenical groups were unbiblical humanists, dangerous quasi-Marxists. For the ecumenical types, the Evangelicals were pietistic, concerned only with their individual salvation, indifferent to the injustices experienced by most of the population. But, for those who were impressed by the Black Consciousness influence, this hassle was merely white people’s games, irrelevant luxury. The Anglican Bishop Alphaeus Zulu summarised their position: ‘We Africans have no need of a Charismatic Movement — we have always been charismatic, without any pressure from outside.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeople like Cowley were attracted by the Evangelical emphasis on conversion, but it had to include conversion from the heresies and illusions of apartheid, which were otherwise winning all the battles. A new ingredient was being discovered in the Christian mix. This was where Cowley found himself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCowley was deeply drawn to the insights of medieval spiritual teachers such as Richard Rolle and Thomas à Kempis, and Thomas Merton of our own day. This is the kind of commitment which underlies his book. Readers who are interested in spirituality will be attracted by his excellent summary of the discipline of contemplation. But, to get there, they will need to work through Cowley’s exploration of the demonic powers of racism, financial injustice, and indifference to the degradation of the environment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis spirituality has been formed in a situation of loss, of oppression, of cruelty, when all the signs were that the powers of evil were winning. His kind of contemplation draws us to awareness of God’s critique of the disobedience in our human systems, and into commitment to the struggle for the realisation of God’s Kingdom. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd this is not only for South Africa; Cowley was ordained priest in his native land and served in parish ministry there. But he came to England some years ago, and has been a parish priest and adviser in spirituality in English dioceses. For South Africa and for Britain, his book provides a well-formed and personally validated guidance concerning the claims of our Creator upon our obedience and our energies. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Rt Revd John D. Davies was National Chaplain to the Anglican Students’ Federation of Southern Africa, and Convener of the Council of Churches’ Commission which created the University Christian Movement\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Nicholas King SJ\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eChristians are often charged with being of 'no earthly use' (because their gaze is fixed on the heavens); evangelicals find themselves accused of giving insufficient time to contemplative prayer; white Christian South Africans often have it alleged against them that their discipleship is pure self-indulgence, because they benefited so largely from the sin of apartheid; and that the Roman Catholic tradition has nothing to offer Christians today. In this splendid book, those four myths are soundly 'busted': Ian Cowley is an evangelical Christian who has given himself to transform this unjust world into something that looks like the Kingdom of God; he has for many years as a busy Anglican priest given himself over to the practice of solitary contemplative prayer (and offers some useful tips about how to approach it). More than that, he is a white South African whose Christianity drove him, at some considerable cost, to engage in student activism against the apartheid regime, and who reveals his immense admiration for Steve Biko, who died that appalling death in the hands of the SA Police. He has, moreover, drunk gratefully of the waters of the Roman Catholic contemplative tradition, including Thomas a Kempis, Richard Rolle, and that remarkable Cistercian monk, Thomas Merton. He has, besides, the Protestant gift of a solid grasp of Scripture and the awareness that it can change your life. He was also alert to the dangers of environmental pollution at a time when such interests were dismissed as mindlessly sentimental “tree-hugging”. Nowadays we wish that more students had followed his example, half a century ago. This book is to be warmly recommended.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e"}
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The Contemplative Struggle: Radical discipleship in a broken world
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Digital eBook Only - How do we embrace and work out our call to be disciples in a broken world?...
{"id":14777367527804,"title":"Living Differently to Make a Difference: The beatitudes and countercultural lifestyle","handle":"living-differently-to-make-a-difference-the-beatitudes-and-countercultural-lifestyle-1","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eFew would doubt that we live in a wounded and broken world. But God has sent a Saviour, Jesus Christ, who calls us, in the beatitudes, to live an authentic, countercultural lifestyle. By being different we can make a difference, becoming the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Through living the beatitudes, we could make the world a better place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/l-woNgQmdBA\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" frameborder=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHaving been in parish ministry for 25 years, Will Donaldson is Chaplain and Senior Welfare Officer of St Edmund Hall, Oxford University. He is also Area Dean of Oxford and Director of Pastoral Care at St Aldates Church. He is the author of Word and Spirit (BRF, 2011).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJulian Meetings Magazine, April 2019. Review by Felicity Bayne\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn his foreword Dr Steven Croft, Bishop of Oxford, writes that ‘There are signs that the beatitudes are coming back into focus in the life of the church as a text for the 21st century.’ Will Donaldson suggests that all our social, political and technological problems connect to the same root cause – chronic lifestyle dysfunction – and then explores a solution based on Jesus’ teaching in the beatitudes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach chapter sets one of the beatitudes in its biblical context, particularly as it relates to Isaiah 61, the Old Testament passage that Jesus read in the synagogue at Nazareth to announce the arrival of the Messiah. In each chapter one beatitude is put alongside a current or historical character or context, before leading the reader into considering how that beatitude might apply in their own lives, to the benefit of the world. Chapters 8 and 9 lead us to reflect on Jesus’ words of encouragement to his followers to be salt and light in the world. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChapters end with thoughtful, helpful questions, and suggestions for reflection alone, or within a small group. This would work well for a Lent group, taking two chapters each week.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDonaldson’s writing is both informative and challenging: an opportunity for serious study and reflection. He provides a pithy guide to Christians who wish their faith in Jesus to make a difference, becoming the salt of the earth and the light of the world, a step at a time. It’s not always a comfortable read, but practising our faith in line with the beatitudes is always an uncomfortable, but hopefully creative, challenge towards building the church of the future.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Felicity Bayne \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader, Spring 2019. Review by Ben Brown\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe beatitudes are the series of teachings by Jesus at the start of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew's gospel. They are sayings where the hierarchies of the world and the hierarchies of the heart are turned upside down. We are called to become people who are poor, meek (or gentle), merciful and pure in heart. Will Donaldson has written a passionate and engaging study of how we are called to live the beatitudes in a world where the idols of power and status are prevalent. The book has some probing questions to ask of aspects of our modern society and our modern selves. Why are we fixated on ideals of success? Why is so much modern culture obsessed with revenge? Donaldson shows how living out of the beatitudes, embracing vulnerability and spiritual poverty in our lives, embodies a joyful alternative to our cultural norms. Occasionally I found the presentation a little moralistic. His interpretation, for example that being pure in heart meant simply living with integrity struck me as reductive. Being pure can also mean being uncluttered and therefore able to see the divine more clearly. But this is a book which makes you ask transformative questions of yourself and your society and gives you, or a reading group, the opportunity to take Christi's teaching personally and embark on the daily adventure of following him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Ben Brown\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiocese of Oxford. Review by Kate Seagrave\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.oxford.anglican.org\/living-differently-to-make-a-difference\/\"\u003ehttps:\/\/www.oxford.anglican.org\/living-differently-to-make-a-difference\/\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt would appear to be a brave undertaking to write a book on such a famous passage as the beatitudes and on such topics that so many have tackled before, but Will does so with originality and confidence. This easy to read book follows the standard mixed format of so many of BRF's publications, being a combination of an individual devotional read, a small group Bible study, and an introductory guide to this famous passage of scripture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis extensive experience in pastoral care and discipleship shines through his approach and his challenge to the reader to a more distinctively and holistic Christian life. Topics covered challenge both our inner lives and 'secret' attitudes as well as our more outward and visible actions and service. The structure of each chapter stands alone, which makes dipping in and out as well as selecting chapters of particular interest entirely possible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe format makes this a quick and easy read, with plenty of illustrations from history, politics, culture, sport and literature. The individual devotions and group discussion questions provide ample invitation and space for pausing and thinking, even when read outside of a more intentional devotional or group study setting. The group questions are particularly accessible and appropriate to a group which had never done a similar study before, with a range of suggested options catering to timings from 15 minutes to an hour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe strength of this book is in the pastoral experience of the writer. His intuitive understanding and deep conviction that the presence of inner faith must be accompanied by a transformational impact upon the world around us (however big or small that world may be) shapes the way that he guides the reader through the chapters. If you are looking for an approach to the beatitudes which is easy to read, yet challenges you to pause and think and examine the lifestyle choices we make day to day, then this is for you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by the Revd Kate Seagrave, Mission Priest at the Community of St Frideswide in Oxford\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePresbyterian Herald, October 2018\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this book, Will Donaldson, a chaplain in Oxford University, explores the beatitudes taught by Jesus during his sermon on the mount, and suggests ways in which we can apply them today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat struck me about this book is that every chapter is so well researched and, as a result, Donaldson is able to explain each beatitude in the context of our history and the world in which we exist today. Scripture is woven throughout each chapter and the author draws heavily from Isaiah 61 throughout the book, as the Old Testament basis of the beatitudes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach chapter concludes with prompts for personal reflection, prayerful response and discussion for small groups, including a starter (questions to be considered over a 15-minute period), a main course (allowing for a 60-minute discussion) and concluding with dessert (another 15 minutes of discussion). While I used this book to aid my own time of devotion, I believe it would be an excellent basis for a book group or discipleship group to study the beatitudes together and decipher what the application of them looks like in their daily lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI found this to be a very challenging and beneficial read. It reinforced that as Christians, it is not for us to conform to the cultural narrative but rather to be 'set apart' for God, as has always been his desire for his people. This book is one of the most helpful books I have read for a long time.\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-10-29T11:29:31+00:00","created_at":"2024-10-29T11:27:46+00:00","vendor":"Will Donaldson","type":"eBook","tags":["Biblical engagement","Glassboxx","Group reading","May-18","Mission"],"price":899,"price_min":899,"price_max":899,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":53603949543804,"title":"eBook","option1":"eBook","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857466723","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Living Differently to Make a Difference: The beatitudes and countercultural lifestyle - eBook","public_title":"eBook","options":["eBook"],"price":899,"weight":166,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857466723","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/224.png?v=1730980359","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/225.png?v=1730980294"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/224.png?v=1730980359","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":63001494520188,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/224.png?v=1730980359"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/224.png?v=1730980359","width":1303},{"alt":null,"id":63001481412988,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/225.png?v=1730980294"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/225.png?v=1730980294","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eFew would doubt that we live in a wounded and broken world. But God has sent a Saviour, Jesus Christ, who calls us, in the beatitudes, to live an authentic, countercultural lifestyle. By being different we can make a difference, becoming the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Through living the beatitudes, we could make the world a better place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/l-woNgQmdBA\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" frameborder=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHaving been in parish ministry for 25 years, Will Donaldson is Chaplain and Senior Welfare Officer of St Edmund Hall, Oxford University. He is also Area Dean of Oxford and Director of Pastoral Care at St Aldates Church. He is the author of Word and Spirit (BRF, 2011).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJulian Meetings Magazine, April 2019. Review by Felicity Bayne\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn his foreword Dr Steven Croft, Bishop of Oxford, writes that ‘There are signs that the beatitudes are coming back into focus in the life of the church as a text for the 21st century.’ Will Donaldson suggests that all our social, political and technological problems connect to the same root cause – chronic lifestyle dysfunction – and then explores a solution based on Jesus’ teaching in the beatitudes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach chapter sets one of the beatitudes in its biblical context, particularly as it relates to Isaiah 61, the Old Testament passage that Jesus read in the synagogue at Nazareth to announce the arrival of the Messiah. In each chapter one beatitude is put alongside a current or historical character or context, before leading the reader into considering how that beatitude might apply in their own lives, to the benefit of the world. Chapters 8 and 9 lead us to reflect on Jesus’ words of encouragement to his followers to be salt and light in the world. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChapters end with thoughtful, helpful questions, and suggestions for reflection alone, or within a small group. This would work well for a Lent group, taking two chapters each week.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDonaldson’s writing is both informative and challenging: an opportunity for serious study and reflection. He provides a pithy guide to Christians who wish their faith in Jesus to make a difference, becoming the salt of the earth and the light of the world, a step at a time. It’s not always a comfortable read, but practising our faith in line with the beatitudes is always an uncomfortable, but hopefully creative, challenge towards building the church of the future.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Felicity Bayne \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader, Spring 2019. Review by Ben Brown\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe beatitudes are the series of teachings by Jesus at the start of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew's gospel. They are sayings where the hierarchies of the world and the hierarchies of the heart are turned upside down. We are called to become people who are poor, meek (or gentle), merciful and pure in heart. Will Donaldson has written a passionate and engaging study of how we are called to live the beatitudes in a world where the idols of power and status are prevalent. The book has some probing questions to ask of aspects of our modern society and our modern selves. Why are we fixated on ideals of success? Why is so much modern culture obsessed with revenge? Donaldson shows how living out of the beatitudes, embracing vulnerability and spiritual poverty in our lives, embodies a joyful alternative to our cultural norms. Occasionally I found the presentation a little moralistic. His interpretation, for example that being pure in heart meant simply living with integrity struck me as reductive. Being pure can also mean being uncluttered and therefore able to see the divine more clearly. But this is a book which makes you ask transformative questions of yourself and your society and gives you, or a reading group, the opportunity to take Christi's teaching personally and embark on the daily adventure of following him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Ben Brown\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiocese of Oxford. Review by Kate Seagrave\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.oxford.anglican.org\/living-differently-to-make-a-difference\/\"\u003ehttps:\/\/www.oxford.anglican.org\/living-differently-to-make-a-difference\/\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt would appear to be a brave undertaking to write a book on such a famous passage as the beatitudes and on such topics that so many have tackled before, but Will does so with originality and confidence. This easy to read book follows the standard mixed format of so many of BRF's publications, being a combination of an individual devotional read, a small group Bible study, and an introductory guide to this famous passage of scripture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis extensive experience in pastoral care and discipleship shines through his approach and his challenge to the reader to a more distinctively and holistic Christian life. Topics covered challenge both our inner lives and 'secret' attitudes as well as our more outward and visible actions and service. The structure of each chapter stands alone, which makes dipping in and out as well as selecting chapters of particular interest entirely possible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe format makes this a quick and easy read, with plenty of illustrations from history, politics, culture, sport and literature. The individual devotions and group discussion questions provide ample invitation and space for pausing and thinking, even when read outside of a more intentional devotional or group study setting. The group questions are particularly accessible and appropriate to a group which had never done a similar study before, with a range of suggested options catering to timings from 15 minutes to an hour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe strength of this book is in the pastoral experience of the writer. His intuitive understanding and deep conviction that the presence of inner faith must be accompanied by a transformational impact upon the world around us (however big or small that world may be) shapes the way that he guides the reader through the chapters. If you are looking for an approach to the beatitudes which is easy to read, yet challenges you to pause and think and examine the lifestyle choices we make day to day, then this is for you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by the Revd Kate Seagrave, Mission Priest at the Community of St Frideswide in Oxford\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePresbyterian Herald, October 2018\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this book, Will Donaldson, a chaplain in Oxford University, explores the beatitudes taught by Jesus during his sermon on the mount, and suggests ways in which we can apply them today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat struck me about this book is that every chapter is so well researched and, as a result, Donaldson is able to explain each beatitude in the context of our history and the world in which we exist today. Scripture is woven throughout each chapter and the author draws heavily from Isaiah 61 throughout the book, as the Old Testament basis of the beatitudes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach chapter concludes with prompts for personal reflection, prayerful response and discussion for small groups, including a starter (questions to be considered over a 15-minute period), a main course (allowing for a 60-minute discussion) and concluding with dessert (another 15 minutes of discussion). While I used this book to aid my own time of devotion, I believe it would be an excellent basis for a book group or discipleship group to study the beatitudes together and decipher what the application of them looks like in their daily lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI found this to be a very challenging and beneficial read. It reinforced that as Christians, it is not for us to conform to the cultural narrative but rather to be 'set apart' for God, as has always been his desire for his people. This book is one of the most helpful books I have read for a long time.\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Living Differently to Make a Difference: The beatitudes and countercultural lifestyle
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{"id":14777121636732,"title":"God's Belongers: How people engage with God today and how the church can help","handle":"gods-belongers-how-people-engage-with-god-today-and-how-the-church-can-help-1","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eThis book transforms thinking about church membership by replacing the division between 'members' and 'non-members' with a four-fold model of belonging. Based in extensive practical research, David Walker shows how 'belonging' can encompass a far wider group of people than those who attend weekly services. He examines belonging through relationship, through place and through events, as well as the traditional belonging through activities. He goes on to explore the opportunities for mission that emerge as a result - while also acknowledging the challenges posed for issues such as church financing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eContents\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction: an aid for mission\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePart 1: How we belong\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 Belonging: a theological concept\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e2 Reliably regular: belonging through church activities\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e3 People power: belonging through relationships\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e4 Only the once: belonging through events\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e5 Location, location: belonging through place\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e6 The mystery of the missing vicar: an example of belonging\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePart 2: Belonging for mission\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e7 What's the difference? Understanding occasional churchgoers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e8 Together in mission: the Five Marks of Mission\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e9 Paying the piper: what has become of Anglican governance and finance?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePart 3: Who else is missing?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e10 Types and temperaments: what is Psychological Type?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e11 Models for motivation: exploring the world of Religious Orientation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e12 Never on Sunday: the opportunities and challenges of Sunday worship\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eForeword\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhenever the church gets to talking about numbers, sooner or later someone will protest that it is not all about bums on seats, is it? Well, yes and no. As this readable and insightful book from David Walker makes clear, belonging cannot simply be measured by your attendance record. There are multiple ways of belonging to any organisation or community, and especially the church. But if instead of 'bums on seats' the church talked about 'hearts being changed' or 'lives being transformed', and once we realise that there can be no impact in our local communities and wider society unless there are at least some people who not only belong, but whose belonging shapes and directs the whole of their lives, i.e. their hearts are being changed and their lives are being transformed, then we begin to see that understanding how people belong and ministering to people in their different ways of belonging is something worth thinking about. This book will help you.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/BishopDavidWalker_480x480.jpg?v=1676497548\" alt=\"\" style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" width=\"219\" height=\"269\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" data-mce-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/BishopDavidWalker_480x480.jpg?v=1676497548\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter a Maths degree at Cambridge, David Walker trained in theology in Birmingham. He served in churches in the dioceses of Sheffield before becoming Bishop of Dudley in 2000 and then in 2013 Bishop of Manchester. He is involved in writing a continuing series of papers for peer review journals and the International Society of Empirical Research in Theology, using quantitative methods to analyse aspects of rural Anglicanism. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a member of the Rural Theology Association, the Church of England Ministry Council and one of the Church Commissioners for England. He has contributed chapters to a number of books including Changing Rural Life: A Christian response to key rural issues (Canterbury Press, 2004), Rural Life and Rural Church: theological and empirical perspectives (Equinox, 2012), Exploring Ordinary Theology: everyday Christian believing and the Church (Ashgate, 2013). He has written papers for (amongst other journals) Rural Theology, the Journal of Beliefs \u0026amp; Values and the Journal of Anglican Studies. In 2014 he was awarded a PhD from the University of Warwick for the studies on which this book will be based.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 21.7.17\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eReview by Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Chelmsford of \u003cem\u003eGod's Belongers: How people engage with God today and how the Church can help\u003c\/em\u003e by David Walker and \u003cem\u003eReproducing Churches \u003c\/em\u003eby George Lings\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnce in a while, a book comes along that changes the way you look at things. Here are two.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDavid Walker's delightfully titled \u003cem\u003eGod's Belongers\u003c\/em\u003e analyses the different ways in which people express their belonging to church and their engagement with God, and suggests new strategies that will help the local church understand and provide for this belonging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBased on extensive research of church attendance at rural harvest festivals and Christmas carol services, the central thesis of this book is that regular churchgoing is not the only way in which Christian belonging is expressed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn one level, this is completely obvious. Most churches, however, persist with a gold standard of 'every-Sunday-morning' belonging, and all evangelistic endeavour is geared towards achieving this. But, as Walker's well-researched and well-argued book unfolds, we find that belonging can be measured in other ways, and this is more to do with personality and circumstance than commitment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo, the one who comes less often is not necessarily less committed. Someone whose primary belonging comes through relationships, and who wishes to express this in service, may never come every week. But his or her 'lived-out' discipleship, day by day, demonstrates a commitment equal to any weekly communicant. If weekly attendance is the only goal, this person's faith development may be stymied, and the church's ability and flexibility to grow in different ways diminished.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePut this alongside the vastly changed pattern of work, leisure, and family life in Britain today, and the impact on church life is plain to see. Strategies for evangelism and discipleship need to work with the grain of these different types of belonging, not against them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe development of Fresh Expressions in the Church of England is one such example of helping people to belong differently.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFresh Expressions of Church is not a stepping-stone towards the so-called 'real church' of Sunday morning. Worshipping in a variety of cultural styles, meeting in different places and different formats and at different times, Fresh Expressions have enabled the Church to broaden its reach.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis has been a remarkable story of missional and ecclesiological enterprise, and, although many people have played a significant part in this story, none has done more than George Lings. His ministry as theologian, researcher and church-planter has provided the impetus and inspiration for the Church to try new things. He has also led the way in enabling the Church to reflect on and learn from these experiments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll this is brought together in \u003cem\u003eReproducing Churches\u003c\/em\u003e. Lings explains and develops the basic thesis that reproduction is inherent in what it means to be the Church, not merely an optional function that some may choose. In other words, for the Church to be the Church it must reproduce. Based, again, on extensive research and vast experience, this book is probably the best available handbook for understanding church-planting and Fresh Expressions, and seeing how the Church can become what it is meant to be be. Put these two books together, and every church will be rethinking its evangelistic strategy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by the Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Chelmsford\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArthur Rank Centre Resources. Review by Revd Elizabeth Clark, National Rural Officer for the Methodist and United Reformed Churches\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this challenging book David Walker, Bishop of Manchester, argues that people belong to their community and to church in different ways. Some belong through activities and are often regular churchgoers and office holders in the church, the sort of person everyone knows and likes. This person helps others to relate to God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 'God's Belongers' these ways of belonging are offered as a framework within which we might consider how to shape and focus the mission of the church beyond 'people like us.' So often mission is based around the things that those already in the church are comfortable with. Walker challenges us to look at how we can do things differently so that other ways of belonging can be welcomed and accommodated, and people can grow in faith.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short, this book encourages us to look seriously at those not like us so that we can welcome them. It also challenges us to learn from others because 'the evidence we've found of a rich and complex pattern of belonging challenges the often implicit assumption that occasional church goers are 'nominal' Christians'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile 'God's Belongers' inevitably reflects Bishop David's Anglican perspective, his insights are more widely applicable are easy to translate for other denominational contexts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Elizabeth Clark, National Rural Officer for the Methodist and United Reformed Churches\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader (Spring 2018). Review by Janice Price\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an important research based examination of how people belong to church. Based on two surveys taken in 2007 and 2009 in the Dioceses of Worcester and Lichfield, Walker outlines four ways - through people, places, one-off events and regular activities - that people belong to the Church. The samples were taken at rural harvest services and Christmas carol services and show information about the attitudes or regular churchgoers to those who attend occasionally. Walker argues that people, places or one-off events are co-workers with regular attendees and not objects of mission. He also asks whether it is possible to be a good Christian and not go to church very often. 'God's Belongers' is full of important questions and issues for PCCs, ministry teams and others to consider. It challenges stereotypes of the 'not-often-there' church attendees and deserves wide and careful consideration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Janice Price\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-10-29T09:26:13+00:00","created_at":"2024-10-29T09:25:05+00:00","vendor":"David Walker","type":"eBook","tags":["Church life","Feb-17","Glassboxx","Leadership","Mission"],"price":799,"price_min":799,"price_max":799,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":53603551445372,"title":"eBook","option1":"eBook","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857464682","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"God's Belongers: How people engage with God today and how the church can help - eBook","public_title":"eBook","options":["eBook"],"price":799,"weight":180,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857464682","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/208.png?v=1730980343","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/209.png?v=1730980260"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/208.png?v=1730980343","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":63001491079548,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/208.png?v=1730980343"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/208.png?v=1730980343","width":1303},{"alt":null,"id":63001472074108,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/209.png?v=1730980260"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/209.png?v=1730980260","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eThis book transforms thinking about church membership by replacing the division between 'members' and 'non-members' with a four-fold model of belonging. Based in extensive practical research, David Walker shows how 'belonging' can encompass a far wider group of people than those who attend weekly services. He examines belonging through relationship, through place and through events, as well as the traditional belonging through activities. He goes on to explore the opportunities for mission that emerge as a result - while also acknowledging the challenges posed for issues such as church financing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eContents\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction: an aid for mission\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePart 1: How we belong\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 Belonging: a theological concept\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e2 Reliably regular: belonging through church activities\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e3 People power: belonging through relationships\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e4 Only the once: belonging through events\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e5 Location, location: belonging through place\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e6 The mystery of the missing vicar: an example of belonging\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePart 2: Belonging for mission\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e7 What's the difference? Understanding occasional churchgoers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e8 Together in mission: the Five Marks of Mission\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e9 Paying the piper: what has become of Anglican governance and finance?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePart 3: Who else is missing?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e10 Types and temperaments: what is Psychological Type?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e11 Models for motivation: exploring the world of Religious Orientation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e12 Never on Sunday: the opportunities and challenges of Sunday worship\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eForeword\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhenever the church gets to talking about numbers, sooner or later someone will protest that it is not all about bums on seats, is it? Well, yes and no. As this readable and insightful book from David Walker makes clear, belonging cannot simply be measured by your attendance record. There are multiple ways of belonging to any organisation or community, and especially the church. But if instead of 'bums on seats' the church talked about 'hearts being changed' or 'lives being transformed', and once we realise that there can be no impact in our local communities and wider society unless there are at least some people who not only belong, but whose belonging shapes and directs the whole of their lives, i.e. their hearts are being changed and their lives are being transformed, then we begin to see that understanding how people belong and ministering to people in their different ways of belonging is something worth thinking about. This book will help you.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/BishopDavidWalker_480x480.jpg?v=1676497548\" alt=\"\" style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" width=\"219\" height=\"269\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" data-mce-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/BishopDavidWalker_480x480.jpg?v=1676497548\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter a Maths degree at Cambridge, David Walker trained in theology in Birmingham. He served in churches in the dioceses of Sheffield before becoming Bishop of Dudley in 2000 and then in 2013 Bishop of Manchester. He is involved in writing a continuing series of papers for peer review journals and the International Society of Empirical Research in Theology, using quantitative methods to analyse aspects of rural Anglicanism. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a member of the Rural Theology Association, the Church of England Ministry Council and one of the Church Commissioners for England. He has contributed chapters to a number of books including Changing Rural Life: A Christian response to key rural issues (Canterbury Press, 2004), Rural Life and Rural Church: theological and empirical perspectives (Equinox, 2012), Exploring Ordinary Theology: everyday Christian believing and the Church (Ashgate, 2013). He has written papers for (amongst other journals) Rural Theology, the Journal of Beliefs \u0026amp; Values and the Journal of Anglican Studies. In 2014 he was awarded a PhD from the University of Warwick for the studies on which this book will be based.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 21.7.17\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eReview by Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Chelmsford of \u003cem\u003eGod's Belongers: How people engage with God today and how the Church can help\u003c\/em\u003e by David Walker and \u003cem\u003eReproducing Churches \u003c\/em\u003eby George Lings\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnce in a while, a book comes along that changes the way you look at things. Here are two.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDavid Walker's delightfully titled \u003cem\u003eGod's Belongers\u003c\/em\u003e analyses the different ways in which people express their belonging to church and their engagement with God, and suggests new strategies that will help the local church understand and provide for this belonging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBased on extensive research of church attendance at rural harvest festivals and Christmas carol services, the central thesis of this book is that regular churchgoing is not the only way in which Christian belonging is expressed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn one level, this is completely obvious. Most churches, however, persist with a gold standard of 'every-Sunday-morning' belonging, and all evangelistic endeavour is geared towards achieving this. But, as Walker's well-researched and well-argued book unfolds, we find that belonging can be measured in other ways, and this is more to do with personality and circumstance than commitment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo, the one who comes less often is not necessarily less committed. Someone whose primary belonging comes through relationships, and who wishes to express this in service, may never come every week. But his or her 'lived-out' discipleship, day by day, demonstrates a commitment equal to any weekly communicant. If weekly attendance is the only goal, this person's faith development may be stymied, and the church's ability and flexibility to grow in different ways diminished.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePut this alongside the vastly changed pattern of work, leisure, and family life in Britain today, and the impact on church life is plain to see. Strategies for evangelism and discipleship need to work with the grain of these different types of belonging, not against them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe development of Fresh Expressions in the Church of England is one such example of helping people to belong differently.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFresh Expressions of Church is not a stepping-stone towards the so-called 'real church' of Sunday morning. Worshipping in a variety of cultural styles, meeting in different places and different formats and at different times, Fresh Expressions have enabled the Church to broaden its reach.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis has been a remarkable story of missional and ecclesiological enterprise, and, although many people have played a significant part in this story, none has done more than George Lings. His ministry as theologian, researcher and church-planter has provided the impetus and inspiration for the Church to try new things. He has also led the way in enabling the Church to reflect on and learn from these experiments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll this is brought together in \u003cem\u003eReproducing Churches\u003c\/em\u003e. Lings explains and develops the basic thesis that reproduction is inherent in what it means to be the Church, not merely an optional function that some may choose. In other words, for the Church to be the Church it must reproduce. Based, again, on extensive research and vast experience, this book is probably the best available handbook for understanding church-planting and Fresh Expressions, and seeing how the Church can become what it is meant to be be. Put these two books together, and every church will be rethinking its evangelistic strategy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by the Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Chelmsford\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArthur Rank Centre Resources. Review by Revd Elizabeth Clark, National Rural Officer for the Methodist and United Reformed Churches\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this challenging book David Walker, Bishop of Manchester, argues that people belong to their community and to church in different ways. Some belong through activities and are often regular churchgoers and office holders in the church, the sort of person everyone knows and likes. This person helps others to relate to God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 'God's Belongers' these ways of belonging are offered as a framework within which we might consider how to shape and focus the mission of the church beyond 'people like us.' So often mission is based around the things that those already in the church are comfortable with. Walker challenges us to look at how we can do things differently so that other ways of belonging can be welcomed and accommodated, and people can grow in faith.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short, this book encourages us to look seriously at those not like us so that we can welcome them. It also challenges us to learn from others because 'the evidence we've found of a rich and complex pattern of belonging challenges the often implicit assumption that occasional church goers are 'nominal' Christians'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile 'God's Belongers' inevitably reflects Bishop David's Anglican perspective, his insights are more widely applicable are easy to translate for other denominational contexts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Elizabeth Clark, National Rural Officer for the Methodist and United Reformed Churches\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader (Spring 2018). Review by Janice Price\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an important research based examination of how people belong to church. Based on two surveys taken in 2007 and 2009 in the Dioceses of Worcester and Lichfield, Walker outlines four ways - through people, places, one-off events and regular activities - that people belong to the Church. The samples were taken at rural harvest services and Christmas carol services and show information about the attitudes or regular churchgoers to those who attend occasionally. Walker argues that people, places or one-off events are co-workers with regular attendees and not objects of mission. He also asks whether it is possible to be a good Christian and not go to church very often. 'God's Belongers' is full of important questions and issues for PCCs, ministry teams and others to consider. It challenges stereotypes of the 'not-often-there' church attendees and deserves wide and careful consideration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Janice Price\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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God's Belongers: How people engage with God today and how the church can help
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{"id":14688337658236,"title":"A Christian Guide to Environmental Issues","handle":"a-christian-guide-to-environmental-issues-1","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eEnvironmental sustainability is a major issue for us all. In this extensively updated edition, Martin and Margot Hodson consider eight of the key current environmental problems, giving the biblical basis for looking after the environment and helping to integrate environmental thinking into the reader’s understanding of Christian faith. This accessible guide includes ethical reflections, Bible studies focusing on a different biblical doctrine for each chapter, and eco-tips to enable practical response. Among the issues covered are climate change, food, biodiversity, and population, together with the relationship between environmental problems and issues relating to world development.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"margin-right: 15px; float: left;\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/MartinandMargotHodsonlatestApril2021_480x480.jpg?v=1676493999\" width=\"186\" height=\"149\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRev. Margot Hodson\u003c\/strong\u003e is Theology and Education Director for the John Ray Initiative (JRI), an organisation connecting Environment, Science, and Christianity. She is also a Vicar in the Oxford Diocese. The Hodsons have published widely together on Christianity and the environment, and have several books including A Christian Guide to Environmental Issues (BRF, second edition).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDr. Martin Hodson\u003c\/strong\u003e is a plant scientist and environmental biologist and has over 100 publications mostly in international science journals. He teaches at both of the universities in Oxford and is the Principal Tutor for the distance learning course, Christian Rural and Environmental Studies (CRES).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003ePraise for A Christian Guide to Environmental Issues\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMartin and Margot Hodson’s deep commitment to the critical issues that their timely book addresses shines through each chapter.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeter Harris, Founder of A Rocha\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book looks straight in the eye of the most serious set of environmental challenges humanity faces. Drawing together in accessible ways scientific evidence, biblical reflection and practical ideas, it will provoke you to better think, act and pray for the renewal of creation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRt Revd Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews \u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScience and Christian Belief. Review by Robert Sluka\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSluka R. 2022 Review of \"Hodson \u0026amp; Hodson - A Christian Guide to Environmental Issues 2nd Edn, BRF\", Science \u0026amp; Christian Belief vol.34(2):145-146. Review reprinted with kind permission.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI first read Martin and Margot’s books while in a youth hostel in Tasmania. Not exactly or even close to being a youth at the time, their writing helped to shape my thoughts on how to integrate Christian faith and conservation. The strength of their work is a deep theological reflection rooted both in practice and academic rigour combined with a commitment to and skill at summarizing and communicating the latest peer-review science and conservation policy. This is the second edition of A Christian Guide to Environmental Issues, which they have fully updated and revised to respond hopefully to our current conservation crises.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMany Christians are more environmentally aware and active in recent times. There are now over 4000 Eco churches in the UK, for example. Yet if you were to ask the average person in the pew about the environment, they would likely struggle to articulate how their faith is relevant to it. Margot and Martin argue that the environment is central to the Christian faith, not peripheral to it. This book also provides a helpful correction to the overwhelming focus, when there is one, of the Christian community on one environmental issue – climate change. Martin and Margot show clearly that there are many threats that while often augmented by climate change, are not currently addressed by most agencies, churches, or individuals and which would not be reduced could we solve our climate issues immediately.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an excellent resource for those who want to better understand both the science and the theology surrounding environmental issues. The book could be approached as a relatively quick read to gain insight into major environmental topics such as biodiversity, climate change, water, energy, soil, and food. Each chapter starts with helpful stories to contextualise and put a personal flavour to the issues from Spain or Portugal where much of this book was written during a sabbatical, giving a common thread throughout. The science is detailed up with more study, but clear and concise enough for a lay person to understand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA Biblical reflection follows which provides insights into key passages that apply to the topic. I will also use this as a resource book when called upon to speak on or address topics covered in the book. A focused bibliography of key creation care books is given in the back. Key websites are listed with summaries, indexes of topics and bible verses increase its utility. A short bible study allows the reader to reflect and develop their own thoughts – with bible study leader’s notes for small groups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdditionally, Martin and Margot produced a series of videos that accompany this book as a series of 10 study sessions or easily cut down to fit a Lent course:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/thebigchurchread.co.uk\/a-christian-guide-to-environmental-%20issues-2\/\"\u003ehttps:\/\/thebigchurchread.co.uk\/a-christian-guide-to-environmental- issues-2\/\u003c\/a\u003e).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe chapter on soil serves as a good example of the value and diversity of this book – not the least that there are so few creation care books that even address soil as an issue. The chapter starts with a personal story from Martin reflecting on his teaching on soils in Oxford. This proceeds to a helpful discourse of what soil is, then adds a global perspective on threats such as erosion, compaction and pollution. An outside perspective is written by a colleague along with another personal story from Martin’s and Margot’s sabbatical in Spain. Margot then provides a reflection on the biblical themes of exile and return and of course, the parable of the sower and the soils. A Rocha UK head of Conservation, Andy Lester, comments on their Partner in Action Programme and Margot and Martin reflect on their experience at one of these partners, Hilfield Friary, showing how the topic of soil is being addressed on the ground with respect to creation care.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach chapter has an eco-tip for the reader to implement – this one focused on gardening and soil as you would expect. A bible study with discussion questions takes readers to Isaiah and Luke and then helpful references are given to pursue deeper knowledge of soils. This chapter caused me to think about the soil in my own garden here in Florida and specifically, how the way I treat it impacts the ecology of this area and my own spiritual life as I interact with it through gardening activities. Each chapter is likewise diverse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is necessarily a summary and thus can’t go into a deep treatment of each topic. The bouncing around of different voices, locations, and switching between faith and science topics might not be palatable for some. The format is set up so that a small group could use it for discussion with or without the accompanying videos. It is a useful resource for church leaders who want to speak on these issues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e This is an important book to continue the hopeful conversation of how we can love God and neighbour (including our non-human neighbours) through caring for God’s world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eRobert Sluka leads A Rocha’s Marine Conservation Programme, working to glorify God through caring for the 71% of the planet that is ocean (www. arocha.org\/marine).\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIrish Methodist Newsletter. Review by Stephen Skuce\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e A standing item on our church council agendas is environmental matters. We know it's part of our Christian responsibility, as individuals and as churches, to care for the environment. We know we are stewards and custodians, not the owners. And we know that in most cases we aren’t doing much more than recycling and trying our best. It's unlikely to happen, but if Greta Thunberg or David Attenborough were to sit in on our council meeting, I doubt if they would be impressed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo, to avoid the avoid the wrath of David and Greta, Martin and Margot Hodson have revised and updated this book to help us better recognise areas of concern and ways in which we can be part of the answer. Ten chapters cover areas such as soil, water, energy, biodiversity, climate change and food, and each chapter concludes with a short Bible study. Therefore, this is an ideal book to use in a home group or church Bible study to help us think through these issues as Christians. And to make it even easier there are supplementary notes at the back for those leading the Bible study, as well as good end notes to each chapter to source the material and point to ways to think even deeper on the issues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen we think about water we know that we aren’t short of the stuff in Ireland, but are at increasing risk of getting too much rain in concentrated bursts while other parts of the world are experiencing longer periods of drought. Fires in California and Australia bring this home to us, as does the burning tundra above the artic circle. I’m writing this in April and Slieve Donard ‘is on fire’. Rather than a moralising tone, the authors share up to date thinking alongside practical Christian responses around the world and bring us hope that we can be part of the renewing of creation. We have a problem but it's also our opportunity to act, and our World Development and Relief colleagues are in partnership with many groups to assist us such as Dabane Water Workshops in Zimbabwe. This is part but not all of our response. ‘The images of water in the Bible remind us of our dependence on the earth and how deeply we are bound together. We understand our place in creation as one of awesome responsibility to lead wisely. One day, that role will be fulfilled. When we lead a redeemed creation as a redeemed people of God’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is an ideal study guide into the issues, helps us wrestle with Scripture and the key issue of our generation. The Hodsons have also published this year \u003cem\u003eGreen Reflections: Biblical Inspiration for Sustainable Living. \u003c\/em\u003eWe are late to recognise our requirement to act. This text will help us and others not be too late, God willing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Revd Dr Stephen Skuce, District Superintendent, the North Western District\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Kate Lemon, One25\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe environment and climate change has been one of the central debates for many years. Many of us are seeking hope for the future and joining those who are trying to reduce waste, act more responsibly towards the environments and show they care for the living world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 2nd edition combined practical theology with the latest science. it is a useful resource for church leaders and group leaders ( e.g. Sunday schools) it covers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBiodiversity\u003cbr\u003eClimate change\u003cbr\u003eHuman population and consumption\u003cbr\u003eWater\/ food\u003cbr\u003eSoil\u003cbr\u003eEnergy \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach chapter offers a bible study section at the end and often an eco-tip as well as biblical reflection.\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-10-23T11:38:00+01:00","created_at":"2024-10-23T11:37:01+01:00","vendor":"Martin Hodson and Margot Hodson","type":"eBook","tags":["Apr-21","Environmental issues","Glassboxx","Group reading","Mission"],"price":999,"price_min":999,"price_max":999,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":53599379161468,"title":"eBook","option1":"eBook","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800390065","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"A Christian Guide to Environmental Issues - eBook","public_title":"eBook","options":["eBook"],"price":999,"weight":190,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800390065","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/67.png?v=1729786089","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/68.png?v=1729786089"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/67.png?v=1729786089","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":62917484413308,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/67.png?v=1729786089"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/67.png?v=1729786089","width":1303},{"alt":null,"id":62917484380540,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/68.png?v=1729786089"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/68.png?v=1729786089","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eEnvironmental sustainability is a major issue for us all. In this extensively updated edition, Martin and Margot Hodson consider eight of the key current environmental problems, giving the biblical basis for looking after the environment and helping to integrate environmental thinking into the reader’s understanding of Christian faith. This accessible guide includes ethical reflections, Bible studies focusing on a different biblical doctrine for each chapter, and eco-tips to enable practical response. Among the issues covered are climate change, food, biodiversity, and population, together with the relationship between environmental problems and issues relating to world development.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"margin-right: 15px; float: left;\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/MartinandMargotHodsonlatestApril2021_480x480.jpg?v=1676493999\" width=\"186\" height=\"149\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRev. Margot Hodson\u003c\/strong\u003e is Theology and Education Director for the John Ray Initiative (JRI), an organisation connecting Environment, Science, and Christianity. She is also a Vicar in the Oxford Diocese. The Hodsons have published widely together on Christianity and the environment, and have several books including A Christian Guide to Environmental Issues (BRF, second edition).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDr. Martin Hodson\u003c\/strong\u003e is a plant scientist and environmental biologist and has over 100 publications mostly in international science journals. He teaches at both of the universities in Oxford and is the Principal Tutor for the distance learning course, Christian Rural and Environmental Studies (CRES).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003ePraise for A Christian Guide to Environmental Issues\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMartin and Margot Hodson’s deep commitment to the critical issues that their timely book addresses shines through each chapter.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeter Harris, Founder of A Rocha\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book looks straight in the eye of the most serious set of environmental challenges humanity faces. Drawing together in accessible ways scientific evidence, biblical reflection and practical ideas, it will provoke you to better think, act and pray for the renewal of creation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRt Revd Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews \u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScience and Christian Belief. Review by Robert Sluka\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSluka R. 2022 Review of \"Hodson \u0026amp; Hodson - A Christian Guide to Environmental Issues 2nd Edn, BRF\", Science \u0026amp; Christian Belief vol.34(2):145-146. Review reprinted with kind permission.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI first read Martin and Margot’s books while in a youth hostel in Tasmania. Not exactly or even close to being a youth at the time, their writing helped to shape my thoughts on how to integrate Christian faith and conservation. The strength of their work is a deep theological reflection rooted both in practice and academic rigour combined with a commitment to and skill at summarizing and communicating the latest peer-review science and conservation policy. This is the second edition of A Christian Guide to Environmental Issues, which they have fully updated and revised to respond hopefully to our current conservation crises.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMany Christians are more environmentally aware and active in recent times. There are now over 4000 Eco churches in the UK, for example. Yet if you were to ask the average person in the pew about the environment, they would likely struggle to articulate how their faith is relevant to it. Margot and Martin argue that the environment is central to the Christian faith, not peripheral to it. This book also provides a helpful correction to the overwhelming focus, when there is one, of the Christian community on one environmental issue – climate change. Martin and Margot show clearly that there are many threats that while often augmented by climate change, are not currently addressed by most agencies, churches, or individuals and which would not be reduced could we solve our climate issues immediately.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an excellent resource for those who want to better understand both the science and the theology surrounding environmental issues. The book could be approached as a relatively quick read to gain insight into major environmental topics such as biodiversity, climate change, water, energy, soil, and food. Each chapter starts with helpful stories to contextualise and put a personal flavour to the issues from Spain or Portugal where much of this book was written during a sabbatical, giving a common thread throughout. The science is detailed up with more study, but clear and concise enough for a lay person to understand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA Biblical reflection follows which provides insights into key passages that apply to the topic. I will also use this as a resource book when called upon to speak on or address topics covered in the book. A focused bibliography of key creation care books is given in the back. Key websites are listed with summaries, indexes of topics and bible verses increase its utility. A short bible study allows the reader to reflect and develop their own thoughts – with bible study leader’s notes for small groups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdditionally, Martin and Margot produced a series of videos that accompany this book as a series of 10 study sessions or easily cut down to fit a Lent course:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/thebigchurchread.co.uk\/a-christian-guide-to-environmental-%20issues-2\/\"\u003ehttps:\/\/thebigchurchread.co.uk\/a-christian-guide-to-environmental- issues-2\/\u003c\/a\u003e).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe chapter on soil serves as a good example of the value and diversity of this book – not the least that there are so few creation care books that even address soil as an issue. The chapter starts with a personal story from Martin reflecting on his teaching on soils in Oxford. This proceeds to a helpful discourse of what soil is, then adds a global perspective on threats such as erosion, compaction and pollution. An outside perspective is written by a colleague along with another personal story from Martin’s and Margot’s sabbatical in Spain. Margot then provides a reflection on the biblical themes of exile and return and of course, the parable of the sower and the soils. A Rocha UK head of Conservation, Andy Lester, comments on their Partner in Action Programme and Margot and Martin reflect on their experience at one of these partners, Hilfield Friary, showing how the topic of soil is being addressed on the ground with respect to creation care.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach chapter has an eco-tip for the reader to implement – this one focused on gardening and soil as you would expect. A bible study with discussion questions takes readers to Isaiah and Luke and then helpful references are given to pursue deeper knowledge of soils. This chapter caused me to think about the soil in my own garden here in Florida and specifically, how the way I treat it impacts the ecology of this area and my own spiritual life as I interact with it through gardening activities. Each chapter is likewise diverse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is necessarily a summary and thus can’t go into a deep treatment of each topic. The bouncing around of different voices, locations, and switching between faith and science topics might not be palatable for some. The format is set up so that a small group could use it for discussion with or without the accompanying videos. It is a useful resource for church leaders who want to speak on these issues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e This is an important book to continue the hopeful conversation of how we can love God and neighbour (including our non-human neighbours) through caring for God’s world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eRobert Sluka leads A Rocha’s Marine Conservation Programme, working to glorify God through caring for the 71% of the planet that is ocean (www. arocha.org\/marine).\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIrish Methodist Newsletter. Review by Stephen Skuce\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e A standing item on our church council agendas is environmental matters. We know it's part of our Christian responsibility, as individuals and as churches, to care for the environment. We know we are stewards and custodians, not the owners. And we know that in most cases we aren’t doing much more than recycling and trying our best. It's unlikely to happen, but if Greta Thunberg or David Attenborough were to sit in on our council meeting, I doubt if they would be impressed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo, to avoid the avoid the wrath of David and Greta, Martin and Margot Hodson have revised and updated this book to help us better recognise areas of concern and ways in which we can be part of the answer. Ten chapters cover areas such as soil, water, energy, biodiversity, climate change and food, and each chapter concludes with a short Bible study. Therefore, this is an ideal book to use in a home group or church Bible study to help us think through these issues as Christians. And to make it even easier there are supplementary notes at the back for those leading the Bible study, as well as good end notes to each chapter to source the material and point to ways to think even deeper on the issues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen we think about water we know that we aren’t short of the stuff in Ireland, but are at increasing risk of getting too much rain in concentrated bursts while other parts of the world are experiencing longer periods of drought. Fires in California and Australia bring this home to us, as does the burning tundra above the artic circle. I’m writing this in April and Slieve Donard ‘is on fire’. Rather than a moralising tone, the authors share up to date thinking alongside practical Christian responses around the world and bring us hope that we can be part of the renewing of creation. We have a problem but it's also our opportunity to act, and our World Development and Relief colleagues are in partnership with many groups to assist us such as Dabane Water Workshops in Zimbabwe. This is part but not all of our response. ‘The images of water in the Bible remind us of our dependence on the earth and how deeply we are bound together. We understand our place in creation as one of awesome responsibility to lead wisely. One day, that role will be fulfilled. When we lead a redeemed creation as a redeemed people of God’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is an ideal study guide into the issues, helps us wrestle with Scripture and the key issue of our generation. The Hodsons have also published this year \u003cem\u003eGreen Reflections: Biblical Inspiration for Sustainable Living. \u003c\/em\u003eWe are late to recognise our requirement to act. This text will help us and others not be too late, God willing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Revd Dr Stephen Skuce, District Superintendent, the North Western District\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Kate Lemon, One25\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe environment and climate change has been one of the central debates for many years. Many of us are seeking hope for the future and joining those who are trying to reduce waste, act more responsibly towards the environments and show they care for the living world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 2nd edition combined practical theology with the latest science. it is a useful resource for church leaders and group leaders ( e.g. Sunday schools) it covers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBiodiversity\u003cbr\u003eClimate change\u003cbr\u003eHuman population and consumption\u003cbr\u003eWater\/ food\u003cbr\u003eSoil\u003cbr\u003eEnergy \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach chapter offers a bible study section at the end and often an eco-tip as well as biblical reflection.\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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{"id":14673694458236,"title":"St Aidan's Way of Mission: Celtic insights for a post-Christian world","handle":"st-aidans-way-of-mission-celtic-insights-for-a-post-christian-world-1","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eSurveying the life and times of Aidan of Lindisfarne, this book draws insights into missional approaches to inspire both outreach and discipleship for today's Church. As in his previous BRF book, Hilda of Whitby, Ray Simpson shows that such figures from past centuries can provide models for Christian life and witness today. An author and speaker on Celtic spirituality with a worldwide reputation, he combines historical fact with spiritual lessons in a highly accessible style, with an appeal to a wide audience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRay Simpson is a founder of the international new monastic movement known as The Community of Aidan and Hilda and is principal tutor of its Celtic Christian Studies programmes. He has written some thirty books on spirituality and lives on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, where many Christian leaders come to the Community's Retreat House and Library and for consultation. He tweets a daily prayer @whitehouseviews and writes a weekly blog on www.raysimpson.org\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 25 November 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRay Simpson is the Lindisfarne-based founder of a new monastic movement, the Community of Aidan and Hilda. His Australian co-author, Brent Lyons-Lee, is an expert in indigenous mission initiatives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt one point, the authors commend the practice of lectio divina. It means 'godly reading', and is based around the four Rs of reading, reflection, response, and relaxing. It serves them well. Often, all there is to go on is fleeting insights into Aidan's life from Bede. But, in the spiritual realm, a little goes a long way. The Irish saint's very name means 'little flame'. From the book's first chapter - 'Incarnational and indigenous mission' - we are carried straight to religious flashpoints of contemporary importance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBorn at about the time that St Columba died, at the end of the sixth century, Aidan was commissioned from Iona to evangelise the brutally warring Anglo-Saxon settlers of Northumbria. Not for him the later Romanised colonial model of mission, a model replic ated from Australia to the Americas, where 'the gospel was preached, but abuse was modelled.' Instead, the Lindisfarne mission seeded 'little colonies of heaven' that helped to grow 'an indigenous, English-speaking church'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI loved the chapter on 'Soul friends and lifelong learning'. Here we are reminded that, when universities were separated from a spiritual grounding in the Beatitudes, and Christ's relationship to nature, they lost 'a holistic understanding of godly learning that embraces head, heart and hands'. Other chapters explore pilgrimage, women as spiritual foster-mothers, social justice, and religious rule and rhythm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are those who would see 'Celtic Christianity' dead and buried. There are those who believe the future to be post-Christian. This little gem is a lectio divina of the signs of resurrection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDr McIntosh is an Honorary Fellow in divinity at Edinburgh University\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProgressive Voices September 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis small book is an attempt to draw on the principles underpinning St Aidan's involvement in Celtic Christianity at its height, and apply them to our day. Although sometimes there's a slight element of 'St Aidan can do no wrong', it's important to say that the author is very clear about the mistakes of the representatives of both Roman and Celtic Christianity in Saxon Britain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe chapters tackle topics ranging from church and state to the environment, the need for spiritual soul mates and the way the church continues to inflict inequality on women.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI think the heart of the book is in chapter 5. The author is sceptical of current models of doing Church and instead expounds the notion of the local expression of Christianity as a village of God. The following has become a bit of a mantra for the author:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA 24-hour society calls for seven-days-a-week faith communities.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA cafe society calls for churches that are eating places.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA travelling society calls for churches that provide accommodation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA stressed society calls for churches that nurture retreats and meditation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA multi-choice society calls for churches that have a choice of styles and facilities.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA fragmented society calls for holistic models and whole-life discipling.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAn eco-threatened society calls for more locally sustainable communities that have roots in the soil.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are other pithy sayings of this sort, particularly in the chapter on church and state which develops into a brief summary of the author's thoughts on social justice issues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe essential message of the book is that we have reached a point where Christianity needs re-rooting in British (and European) soil, that this will be a long process requiring patience and a long-term approach as exemplified by St Aidan's dealings with the ordinary person and nobility of his day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGuy Whitehouse\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJournal of Contemporary Ministry No 2 (2016)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAidan is an inspiring saint whose Irish mission to the English is an instructive model for mission in the post-Christendom Western world today, suggest Ray Simpson with Brent Lyons-Lee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRay Simpson is the founding Guardian and chief liturgist of the International New Monastic Community of Aidan and Hilda and author of over thirty books on spirituality and mission. Brent Lyons-Lee is Mission Catalyst for Community Engagement with the Baptist Union of Victoria and a social justice activist. This is his third book he has co-written with Ray Simpson connecting Celtic insights with spirituality that can be at home in Australia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe story began when Aidan was posted to the Iona monastery. When a previous mission effort to Northumbria failed, Aidan was sent from Iona to Northumbria in 635. He learned English, built trust with King Oswald and his court, and walked around the region seeking to incarnate the gospel and create indigenous 'colonies of heaven.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI loved the invitation of the book to reflect on Aidan's example of the Christian life as a pilgrimage, not a possession. Irish pilgrims or peregrine allowed God's Spirit to blow them where it wished and let mission take as long as it needed. As reflected in vows of the Community of Aidan and Hilda, it is about setting sail and letting the 'Wild Goose' or untameable Spirit of God lead into wild or windy places, and then make them places of welcome and wonder. To find your calling, Simpson often says, 'Let your feet follow your heart until you find your place of resurrection' (p. 29). The place of resurrection is about not only where you will literally die, but also where you can experience shalom and harmony between yourself and your place and neighbours (and so where you may as well stay until you die). It is where 'fruit comes as a gift because we are the right person in the right place at the right time. Creativity flows. Connections take place. Synchronicity occurs. Jesus is revealed' (p. 29). That is sufficient vision to invite us to let go of what we hold (and what holds us) and step out on a Spirit-led journey, and keep walking till we find a place where the bells ring for us.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe second inspiring lesson I got from this book is that, rather than viewing the church as institutional and attractional, do-it-yourself or even focused on mission only, Aidan's vision of church was as 'God-shaped hub communities that have a heart for God, others and society' (p. 87). Starting in Lindisfarne, Aidan planted a network of monastic communities that included schools, libraries and guest quarters, and space for productive farming as well as celebratory feasting. Simpson suggests today's global village still needs churches as 'villages of God':\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA 24-hour society calls for seven-days-a-week faith communities.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA cafe society calls for churches that are eating places.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA travelling society calls for churches that provide accommodation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA stressed society calls for churches that nurture retreats and meditation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA multi-choice society calls for churches that have a choice of styles and facilities.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA fragmented society calls for holistic models and whole-life discipling.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAn eco-threatened society calls for more locally sustainable communities that have roots in the soil.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a model of church functioning in ways that are responsive to one's adopted city and seeking to foster shalom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAidan also celebrated the image and gifts of God in women as well as men. Aidan prioritised practices and rhythms, and I appreciated the writer's urging to identify practices worth commending to people in my community. Moreover, Aidan had a grounded vision of an earthy faith that cares for Creation. The book is practical about how to do this, but also beautifully weaves together Celtic and Australian indigenous stories.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinally, Simpson and Lyons-Lee stressed the importance that Aidan taught of having soul friends who help us cultivate balanced and prayerful living and a lifelong love for learning wisdom. Aidan's spirituality and teaching were not focused only on book learning but also on cultivating a deep devotion, as this prayer urged:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDivine Mentor,\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTeach us the habits of holy learning,\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo know your ways\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo explore your world\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo learn from experience\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo understand people\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo manage time and talents\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo draw on wellsprings of wisdom\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUntil we become a people of saints and scholars (p. 47).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Church in the West does not need another one-size-fits-all off-the-shelf program. However, we do need stories of saints who have walked journeys of courageous faith and adventurous mission - not to imitate closely but to suggest principles and ways of engaging our neighbourhoods in fresh and humble ways. St Aidan's Way of Mission is a delightful read, weaving together the story of this inspiring saint and implications for contemporary ministry.[p\u0026gt;] \u003cstrong\u003eDr Darren Cronshaw\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRay Simpson's writing is readable and thought-provoking. The subtitle for this book is 'Celtic insights for a post-Christian world', and is a helpful reminder how valuable the insights of the Celtic saints are for the challenges we face today. The authors reflect on life as a Christian in a world that has lost touch with a deeply-rooted spirituality, returning to the mission of St Aidan and his deep desire to bring the relevance of Christianity to day to day life. They explain the relevance of Aidan in the globally dangerous world we find ourselves in and remind us of the call to live the eternal values of Christianity, but also the need to ensure we are culturally relevant. Lyons-Lee brings an Australian cross-cultural mission perspective and contributes an interesting angle to the spirituality of place and how this relates to the Celtic church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAidan was a man of his time (seventh century), yet in the great missions of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, many missionaries dispersed from Britain and Ireland, and clearly could not have done this had it not been for the work of their forefathers and mothers. Simpson and Lee remind us for the need for a 'bottom up' rather than a 'top down' culture of mission. They argue that the question of whether we are post-Christian relates closely to our post-colonial heritage, taking in the strands of evangelism and the prosperity gospel, and other negative forms of Christianity which favour the few. They demonstrate the model of mission where networks and communities have justice integrated within them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCeltic women feature strongly, and certainly I was left wanting more of the great women who are considered the key Celtic saints- Hilda Brigid and Bega. They are women who could offer a lot to our churches and different models of leadership and ministry. When the writers state that in the history of Christianity, only three countries have routinely dignified them by appointing them to lead large monasteries of women and men, I would have liked to know more of these women within the German, French and English traditions. I can imagine some of the names that would be included here, but found myself wondering about these founders about whom little is known, women who were known for leadership and soul friendship and would have been the early spiritual directors. This book raises important questions and the chapter focussing particularly on women would be a creative study for our 'Catholic Women's Ordination' groups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKatharine Salmon\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-10-16T15:35:52+01:00","created_at":"2024-10-16T15:34:16+01:00","vendor":"Ray Simpson","type":"eBook","tags":["For individuals","Glassboxx","Jul-16","Mission","Spirituality"],"price":799,"price_min":799,"price_max":799,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":53595082981756,"title":"eBook","option1":"eBook","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857464866","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"St Aidan's Way of Mission: Celtic insights for a post-Christian world - eBook","public_title":"eBook","options":["eBook"],"price":799,"weight":188,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857464866","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/21_0f9b55f3-eb0b-40a9-8d86-7fe171d8d247.png?v=1729770426","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/22_96e02ca9-c584-4eff-9f44-8749dee27f37.png?v=1729770426"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/21_0f9b55f3-eb0b-40a9-8d86-7fe171d8d247.png?v=1729770426","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":62716420489596,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/21_0f9b55f3-eb0b-40a9-8d86-7fe171d8d247.png?v=1729770426"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/21_0f9b55f3-eb0b-40a9-8d86-7fe171d8d247.png?v=1729770426","width":1303},{"alt":null,"id":62716420522364,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/22_96e02ca9-c584-4eff-9f44-8749dee27f37.png?v=1729770426"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/22_96e02ca9-c584-4eff-9f44-8749dee27f37.png?v=1729770426","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eSurveying the life and times of Aidan of Lindisfarne, this book draws insights into missional approaches to inspire both outreach and discipleship for today's Church. As in his previous BRF book, Hilda of Whitby, Ray Simpson shows that such figures from past centuries can provide models for Christian life and witness today. An author and speaker on Celtic spirituality with a worldwide reputation, he combines historical fact with spiritual lessons in a highly accessible style, with an appeal to a wide audience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRay Simpson is a founder of the international new monastic movement known as The Community of Aidan and Hilda and is principal tutor of its Celtic Christian Studies programmes. He has written some thirty books on spirituality and lives on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, where many Christian leaders come to the Community's Retreat House and Library and for consultation. He tweets a daily prayer @whitehouseviews and writes a weekly blog on www.raysimpson.org\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 25 November 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRay Simpson is the Lindisfarne-based founder of a new monastic movement, the Community of Aidan and Hilda. His Australian co-author, Brent Lyons-Lee, is an expert in indigenous mission initiatives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt one point, the authors commend the practice of lectio divina. It means 'godly reading', and is based around the four Rs of reading, reflection, response, and relaxing. It serves them well. Often, all there is to go on is fleeting insights into Aidan's life from Bede. But, in the spiritual realm, a little goes a long way. The Irish saint's very name means 'little flame'. From the book's first chapter - 'Incarnational and indigenous mission' - we are carried straight to religious flashpoints of contemporary importance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBorn at about the time that St Columba died, at the end of the sixth century, Aidan was commissioned from Iona to evangelise the brutally warring Anglo-Saxon settlers of Northumbria. Not for him the later Romanised colonial model of mission, a model replic ated from Australia to the Americas, where 'the gospel was preached, but abuse was modelled.' Instead, the Lindisfarne mission seeded 'little colonies of heaven' that helped to grow 'an indigenous, English-speaking church'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI loved the chapter on 'Soul friends and lifelong learning'. Here we are reminded that, when universities were separated from a spiritual grounding in the Beatitudes, and Christ's relationship to nature, they lost 'a holistic understanding of godly learning that embraces head, heart and hands'. Other chapters explore pilgrimage, women as spiritual foster-mothers, social justice, and religious rule and rhythm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are those who would see 'Celtic Christianity' dead and buried. There are those who believe the future to be post-Christian. This little gem is a lectio divina of the signs of resurrection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDr McIntosh is an Honorary Fellow in divinity at Edinburgh University\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProgressive Voices September 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis small book is an attempt to draw on the principles underpinning St Aidan's involvement in Celtic Christianity at its height, and apply them to our day. Although sometimes there's a slight element of 'St Aidan can do no wrong', it's important to say that the author is very clear about the mistakes of the representatives of both Roman and Celtic Christianity in Saxon Britain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe chapters tackle topics ranging from church and state to the environment, the need for spiritual soul mates and the way the church continues to inflict inequality on women.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI think the heart of the book is in chapter 5. The author is sceptical of current models of doing Church and instead expounds the notion of the local expression of Christianity as a village of God. The following has become a bit of a mantra for the author:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA 24-hour society calls for seven-days-a-week faith communities.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA cafe society calls for churches that are eating places.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA travelling society calls for churches that provide accommodation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA stressed society calls for churches that nurture retreats and meditation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA multi-choice society calls for churches that have a choice of styles and facilities.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA fragmented society calls for holistic models and whole-life discipling.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAn eco-threatened society calls for more locally sustainable communities that have roots in the soil.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are other pithy sayings of this sort, particularly in the chapter on church and state which develops into a brief summary of the author's thoughts on social justice issues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe essential message of the book is that we have reached a point where Christianity needs re-rooting in British (and European) soil, that this will be a long process requiring patience and a long-term approach as exemplified by St Aidan's dealings with the ordinary person and nobility of his day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGuy Whitehouse\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJournal of Contemporary Ministry No 2 (2016)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAidan is an inspiring saint whose Irish mission to the English is an instructive model for mission in the post-Christendom Western world today, suggest Ray Simpson with Brent Lyons-Lee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRay Simpson is the founding Guardian and chief liturgist of the International New Monastic Community of Aidan and Hilda and author of over thirty books on spirituality and mission. Brent Lyons-Lee is Mission Catalyst for Community Engagement with the Baptist Union of Victoria and a social justice activist. This is his third book he has co-written with Ray Simpson connecting Celtic insights with spirituality that can be at home in Australia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe story began when Aidan was posted to the Iona monastery. When a previous mission effort to Northumbria failed, Aidan was sent from Iona to Northumbria in 635. He learned English, built trust with King Oswald and his court, and walked around the region seeking to incarnate the gospel and create indigenous 'colonies of heaven.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI loved the invitation of the book to reflect on Aidan's example of the Christian life as a pilgrimage, not a possession. Irish pilgrims or peregrine allowed God's Spirit to blow them where it wished and let mission take as long as it needed. As reflected in vows of the Community of Aidan and Hilda, it is about setting sail and letting the 'Wild Goose' or untameable Spirit of God lead into wild or windy places, and then make them places of welcome and wonder. To find your calling, Simpson often says, 'Let your feet follow your heart until you find your place of resurrection' (p. 29). The place of resurrection is about not only where you will literally die, but also where you can experience shalom and harmony between yourself and your place and neighbours (and so where you may as well stay until you die). It is where 'fruit comes as a gift because we are the right person in the right place at the right time. Creativity flows. Connections take place. Synchronicity occurs. Jesus is revealed' (p. 29). That is sufficient vision to invite us to let go of what we hold (and what holds us) and step out on a Spirit-led journey, and keep walking till we find a place where the bells ring for us.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe second inspiring lesson I got from this book is that, rather than viewing the church as institutional and attractional, do-it-yourself or even focused on mission only, Aidan's vision of church was as 'God-shaped hub communities that have a heart for God, others and society' (p. 87). Starting in Lindisfarne, Aidan planted a network of monastic communities that included schools, libraries and guest quarters, and space for productive farming as well as celebratory feasting. Simpson suggests today's global village still needs churches as 'villages of God':\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA 24-hour society calls for seven-days-a-week faith communities.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA cafe society calls for churches that are eating places.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA travelling society calls for churches that provide accommodation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA stressed society calls for churches that nurture retreats and meditation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA multi-choice society calls for churches that have a choice of styles and facilities.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA fragmented society calls for holistic models and whole-life discipling.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAn eco-threatened society calls for more locally sustainable communities that have roots in the soil.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a model of church functioning in ways that are responsive to one's adopted city and seeking to foster shalom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAidan also celebrated the image and gifts of God in women as well as men. Aidan prioritised practices and rhythms, and I appreciated the writer's urging to identify practices worth commending to people in my community. Moreover, Aidan had a grounded vision of an earthy faith that cares for Creation. The book is practical about how to do this, but also beautifully weaves together Celtic and Australian indigenous stories.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinally, Simpson and Lyons-Lee stressed the importance that Aidan taught of having soul friends who help us cultivate balanced and prayerful living and a lifelong love for learning wisdom. Aidan's spirituality and teaching were not focused only on book learning but also on cultivating a deep devotion, as this prayer urged:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDivine Mentor,\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTeach us the habits of holy learning,\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo know your ways\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo explore your world\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo learn from experience\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo understand people\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo manage time and talents\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo draw on wellsprings of wisdom\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUntil we become a people of saints and scholars (p. 47).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Church in the West does not need another one-size-fits-all off-the-shelf program. However, we do need stories of saints who have walked journeys of courageous faith and adventurous mission - not to imitate closely but to suggest principles and ways of engaging our neighbourhoods in fresh and humble ways. St Aidan's Way of Mission is a delightful read, weaving together the story of this inspiring saint and implications for contemporary ministry.[p\u0026gt;] \u003cstrong\u003eDr Darren Cronshaw\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRay Simpson's writing is readable and thought-provoking. The subtitle for this book is 'Celtic insights for a post-Christian world', and is a helpful reminder how valuable the insights of the Celtic saints are for the challenges we face today. The authors reflect on life as a Christian in a world that has lost touch with a deeply-rooted spirituality, returning to the mission of St Aidan and his deep desire to bring the relevance of Christianity to day to day life. They explain the relevance of Aidan in the globally dangerous world we find ourselves in and remind us of the call to live the eternal values of Christianity, but also the need to ensure we are culturally relevant. Lyons-Lee brings an Australian cross-cultural mission perspective and contributes an interesting angle to the spirituality of place and how this relates to the Celtic church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAidan was a man of his time (seventh century), yet in the great missions of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, many missionaries dispersed from Britain and Ireland, and clearly could not have done this had it not been for the work of their forefathers and mothers. Simpson and Lee remind us for the need for a 'bottom up' rather than a 'top down' culture of mission. They argue that the question of whether we are post-Christian relates closely to our post-colonial heritage, taking in the strands of evangelism and the prosperity gospel, and other negative forms of Christianity which favour the few. They demonstrate the model of mission where networks and communities have justice integrated within them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCeltic women feature strongly, and certainly I was left wanting more of the great women who are considered the key Celtic saints- Hilda Brigid and Bega. They are women who could offer a lot to our churches and different models of leadership and ministry. When the writers state that in the history of Christianity, only three countries have routinely dignified them by appointing them to lead large monasteries of women and men, I would have liked to know more of these women within the German, French and English traditions. I can imagine some of the names that would be included here, but found myself wondering about these founders about whom little is known, women who were known for leadership and soul friendship and would have been the early spiritual directors. This book raises important questions and the chapter focussing particularly on women would be a creative study for our 'Catholic Women's Ordination' groups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKatharine Salmon\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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St Aidan's Way of Mission: Celtic insights for a post-Christian world
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{"id":7619786244287,"title":"On the Way to Work: A Christian approach to thinking differently about success and fulfillment","handle":"on-the-way-to-work","description":"\u003cp\u003eDoes your work give you a sense of purpose? How do you feel when work serves up difficulties and problems? How do we work well? Is there a God, and might God have something to say about the way we work? Weaving together biblical perspectives with academic research and his own experiences of working in different settings, Chris Gillies lays the theological foundation for work, moves on to examining biblical role models from both Old and New Testaments, and concludes by exploring common issues we wrestle with in our work, from money matters or managing and leading others to knowing if we’re in the right job or simply doing the right thing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/zocoSqG4BN4?si=wpDl7TTQSwymPIW1\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChris Gillies\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cspan\u003eWith thirty years’ experience of working at director level in financial services, Chris Gillies has also served on the boards of four different churches and ten UK charities including Westminster Theological Centre and The Children’s Society. He is Chair of Council for Stewardship and Treasurer for LICC.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘There’s new thinking here, hammered out on the anvil of a long, demanding, and successful career at the highest corporate levels through prayerful reflection, biblical engagement and careful analysis. Chris Gillies offers us a rich understanding of God’s purposes for humankind, framing his approach to work on the dynamic springboard of the life, character and work of Jesus, and on the ongoing empowering of the Holy Spirit for everyday work. This is a book that anyone at any level could profit from. Bravo. And thank you.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eMark Greene, mission champion, The London Institute for Contemporary Christianity (LICC)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Christians just don’t think enough about work and the way work is changing. On the Way to Work is a treasure trove of deep insight from the scriptures and a mine of good advice from a seasoned practitioner. Chris Gillies’ insights are honed from many years’ experience and will be lifegiving for all kinds of people in different roles and occupations.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eSteven Croft, bishop of Oxford\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘On the Way to Work paints a reframing vision of how we can approach our working lives as worship. Such a brilliant handbook for how to approach the world of work with a kingdom-first mindset. Equipping, affirming and inspiring. I can’t wait for Monday!’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eCaragh Bennet, cofounder and CEO, ZENA\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Chris Gillies combines values with brilliant business acumen. He is one of the few people I pause to think “what would Chris do” and, most importantly, how. I’ve been lucky enough for Chris to have been my professional mentor since working together at Zurich. This book offers the opportunity for everyone to experience his wisdom and guidance, helping you choose how to spend your energy and achieve your aspirations, with morals at the forefront of decisions and actions.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eKathryn Axcell-Steele, head of brand and integrated marketing, Wesleyan Assurance Society\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Chris Gillies offers a rich and rare combination of biblical wisdom, practical insight and personal experience that will inspire Christians to think differently about their work and its significance. My hope and prayer is that Christians and other readers will learn from Chris and the compelling vision he sets forth in this book.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eMatt Lynch, associate professor of Old Testament, Regent College\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘This important book is insightful and inspiring, and full of invaluable, real-life examples of leaders navigating the world of work. Anyone who is keen to discover how to best deploy their influence for the kingdom of God will find much here to guide them through their careers.’\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStephen Foster, rector, St Aldates, Oxford, and advisor, Alpha UK\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e‘A theology of work and a work of theology. Over many years of treasured friendship, Chris Gillies both demonstrated to me and challenged me to see that the call of God, the vocation of the Christian, is not limited to ordained ministers and foreign missionaries, but rests upon all who follow Jesus and all who are sent to serve the king and his kingdom in every sphere of life and work.’\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSimon Ponsonby, pastor of theology, St Aldates, Oxford\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e‘\u003c\/em\u003eThis book will expand your vision of what a deeply fruitful and successful life looks like. A central premise of the book is that our work matters to God and God really does matter to our work. With that as a robust foundation, Chris Gillies tackles many layers of the implications of what that means for our frontline work, time, money, decision making, relationships; in essence, our whole lives!’\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNess Wilson, leader, Pioneer UK\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e‘This is a remarkable book, and you should read it. In these pages,\u003cbr\u003eChris Gillies illuminates a path to work that is not only distinctive but\u003cbr\u003ealso the way of Jesus and of the kingdom of God. If you let this book\u003cbr\u003edo its work, it will change you – for good. Chris has crafted a work\u003cbr\u003ethat is truly transformative – a powerful journey towards personal\u003cbr\u003eand spiritual growth.’\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaul Woolley, chief executive, The London Institute for\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContemporary Christianity (LICC)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e‘This is a timely book on the importance of work – what we do, how we\u003cbr\u003edo it and most importantly why work is part of God’s plan for what it\u003cbr\u003emeans to be human. Chris Gillies brings together years of experience,\u003cbr\u003ea biblical framework and lots of helpful illustrations in a very readable\u003cbr\u003eand accessible style.’\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeter Lynas, UK director, Evangelical Alliance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘This is quite simply the best book I have read about the interrelationship between Christian faith and our working lives for a very long time. Chris Gillies repeatedly illustrates wise practical advice with telling anecdotes from his own experience, covering many different topics, acknowledging the value of different perspectives and sharing maturely what God has taught him along the way.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eRichard Higginson, former director and chair, Faith in Business\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your career, this book has something invaluable to offer. It masterfully combines the wisdom of years of experience with practical advice, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking God’s calling on their life and true success in their work.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eReuben Coulter, senior advisor, Faith Driven Investor and partner, Ignis Advisory\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘This is a book that has been over 40 years in the writing and its depth and insights reflect the journey of a man who has set his sights on bringing kingdom influence to the highest level of businesses.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eNic Harding, director, Kairos Connexion and Together for the Harvest\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Chris Gillies writes a wonderfully practical and thoughtful book that speaks powerfully about what it means to engage in the world of work in a distinctively Christian way. He constructs a brilliant, thorough and nuanced analysis that challenges the oft-prevailing and unhelpful narrative of the sacred–secular divide, and offers beautifully crafted autobiographical, theological and academic reflections to suggest an alternative mode of being for operating as a Christian in the workplace.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eCatherine Delve, CEO, Resurgam Asset Management Limited; chair of trustees, Bridge the Gap Football\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTudor Humphreys: BRF Ministries supporter and Friend January 2025\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen I saw this book promoted in a BRF Ministries newsletter I ordered it from my local Christian bookshop. What I like about it is that Chris Gillies has obviously worked and thrived in high pressure work environments, but like many people he stumbled into his first job not really thinking through what his Christian faith had to say about it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLater he learned better:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- He has worked out for himself and shared with readers what the Bible has to say about work and how to live out our Christian beliefs in the workplace.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- He takes us through the Bible from God’s ‘work’ in creation in Genesis to our role in working to ‘continue the creation story’ via the parable of the tenants in Matthew, Mark and Luke, to our role as ‘fellow workers’ in the family business of ‘Sustaining and caring for His creation’ in 1 Corinthians.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- He offers real life examples of how to manage power, authority, roles\/responsibilities, wealth and time, instead of hiding anything to do with faith until we enter a church at the weekend.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- He addresses Christian approaches to the challenges of balancing the needs of organisations to do productive work as well as addressing the needs of people doing the work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThinking about work and investing time in the process has been instilled in me since I studied with the YMCA College\/University of Kent in the 1980\/90s soon after making a commitment to follow the Master when my wife and I were called to establish a charity with a Christian ethos, focused on working with those outside the church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe author places our work as Christians, whether in the office the farm, factory, hairdressers or supermarket, on an equal footing to what might be called ‘Christian ministry\/mission roles'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI like that and it’s not just the author’s view. He says this:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘If you listen to modern mission organisations you’ll hear a shift in the way think and talk about mission. You’ll hear more talk about how every role is important including those who work in the marketplace…’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe author takes us through a series of steps from what the Bible has to say about ‘work’, including Colossians 3:23-24 Work at everything you do with all your heart. Work as if you were working for the Lord, not for human masters. Work because you know that you will finally receive as a reward what the Lord wants you to have. You are slaves of the Lord Christ.’ (NIRV)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs well as drawing from his own experience in business, he cites examples of other ‘workers’ and gives real work\/life case studies of how to proclaim and demonstrate the gospel, and how to be ‘salt and light’ in a holistic, integrated way in a modern workplace in a changing society.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo if you’ve never considered your day to day work as ‘important’ in terms of building ‘the Kingdom,’ or if you’ve been thinking about work and faith for a while, this book might just encourage you to keep on ‘blossoming where you’ve been planted’ or inspire you to take courage, and explore new ways of being a ‘labourer in the harvest field’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Tudor Humphreys BRF supporter and friend\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTogether magazine November\/December 2024. Review by Fiona Lloyd\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor many of us work is an important part of our daily life. This includes not just paid employment but also voluntary work, studying and work within the home (such as raising children). Yet unless we have an overtly ‘Christian’ job such as ministry or missionary roles, it can be easy to regard our work as being somehow distinct from our spiritual life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChris Gillies has worked in the business and finance sector for over 40 years, and more recently has used his skills to serve in the charitable sector. As he progressed in his career, he gradually became more aware of the importance of how his faith affected the way he worked, and how working in any environment – secular as well as Christian – should be viewed as work for God. Out of this realisation came his latest book, \u003ci\u003eOn the Way to Work\u003c\/i\u003e. In this book, Gillies discusses how seeing our work and faith as being intertwined rather than completely separate from each other can change our perspective and bring fresh motivation, explaining how applying biblical ideology can transform the workplace and lead to increased productivity and job satisfaction. And while this is written from a Christian perspective, Gillies is keen to emphasise that the principles he promotes are equally relevant for those of other faiths or no faith at all.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eOn the Way to Work \u003c\/i\u003eis split into three sections. The first gives the reader a spiritual overview of the Bible timeline, from the Garden of Eden to Christ’s return. Within this, Gillies examines how work is part of God’s plan for humankind and considers what it means to be fruitful. When set against the backdrop of eternity, our current work has long-term meaning, regardless of the nature of that work. Gillies reminds us that ‘The way we work can provide evidence today of God’s renewed order.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003eThe second section of the book focuses on biblical role models. Old Testament characters such as Joseph, Deborah and Daniel demonstrate what it means to honour God in our work, and how living and working according to his ways can affect those around us or for whom we have responsibility.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003eIn the New Testament it is assumed that Jesus himself worked for many years before beginning his itinerant ministry. While the Gospels tell us nothing about his years as a carpenter, we can still learn from the last three years of his earthly life. The way Jesus interacted with those around him provides an example as to how we should behave in the workplace.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003eGillies devotes the third section of the book (by far the longest part) to common issues we may encounter in the workplace. He starts by contrasting secular and sacred worldviews, showing how understanding the death and resurrection of Jesus can reform and rejuvenate our approach to work, and noting that ‘The divide in our worldview should not be between sacred and secular, but between God’s way and a more self-centred human way.’ Our role should not be simply to criticise the practices of modern society but to propose a better alternative.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003eLater chapters offer advice on how to implement Christian principles into our work environment so that individuals as well as companies can flourish. Gillies underpins these with numerous personal anecdotes, along with relevant Scripture quotes. He also encourages the reader to think about how to balance the ‘big five’ demands on our lives, namely: time with God; time with family; time at work; building community; rest and recreation. This is a helpful template, reminding us to view our lives holistically instead of focusing on one area to the detriment of the others.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003eA lot of ground is covered in \u003ci\u003eOn the Way to Work\u003c\/i\u003e, so I appreciated the way the author ended each chapter with a summary of the key points and a few questions for self-reflection. Gillies has an engaging style and manages to break complex topics down into smaller, more easily digestible chunks. This is a valuable resource for those who want to think more about how their faith relates to their work – whatever form that takes – and for pastors who want to help their congregations be salt and light to a watching world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eReviewed by Fiona Lloyd\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFaith in Business Quarterly (vol 23.2). Review by David Steinegger\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e‘On the way to work, do you look forward to your day? Does it give you a sense of purpose?’ So begins the introduction to Chris Gillies’ book. \u003ci\u003eOn the Way to Work \u003c\/i\u003eprovides a refreshing perspective on the theology of work, gives examples of some of the great biblical role models, offers practical insights into working through many of the common issues we face, and is enriched with examples from Chris’ own experience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe book is structured into three parts. The first part brings a theological perspective which starts in the Garden of Eden, continues through the redemption story and ends in the eternal city in Revelation. I appreciated how this section connects God’s great story for humankind with our stories and reminds us that our lives in our workplaces truly matter. The second part of the book highlights some of the great characters in the Old Testament and God’s anointing in their ‘workplaces’. It then moves on to the life of Christ and the characteristics of his redemptive approach. Part three, the largest section of the book, focuses on common issues we face in the workplace. This section starts with an insightful Christian worldview perspective, reminding us that there is no sacred-secular divide, and that God is profoundly interested in all of our lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eIn part three, Chris goes on to look at some real workplace issues, with biblical and practical insights to tackle them. For example, his chapter on ‘How do I know if I’m in the right job’ gives a scriptural base to address this question, together with practical pointers. Here he encourages readers to loosen their grip on a calling to do a specific job, and rather pursue their life’s mission. This will be helpful for many. I would add that at times God speaks very specifically into our career decisions through scripture, the holy spirit’s guidance and the voice of others. He tackles another real issue in the chapter ‘Balancing the big five’ – describing the challenge of the big five calls on our time – our relationship with God, family, work, community and rest and leisure. In reflecting on this, I was reminded that God has set eternity in our hearts (Eccl 3:11) and if we can live each day with this promise, and the challenge in mind, then we can come to a place of truly flourishing in our lives as Kingdom people – and this is much more precious than gold!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe 290 pages can at first feel a little overwhelming. But I devoured the book on two long haul flights, being stimulated by the three-cord strand of biblical theology, practical insight and great examples from Chris’ many years of experience in the workplace. The summaries at the end of each chapter are helpful, as are each chapter’s questions for personal reflection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eIt would have been helpful if the book had also explored the biblical basis and importance of having wise mentors or coaches: ‘Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.’ (Proverbs 11:14). I have found wise Christian mentors to be a great blessing on my journey in many workplaces across multiple countries and cultures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eI would also like to have seen a template in the book summarising some of the more practical learning points which are interspersed throughout the book. Perhaps a workbook could follow!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eAppropriately, the book ends with a chapter on ‘the prize for running well.’ We are called to be faithful with the gifts and abilities that God has given us. We are reminded that our wok in the here and now foreshadows a new kind of redeemed work after Jesus returns. And here’s a great challenge that Chris presents: we have the opportunity to anticipate that future time by modelling it in the present and living it now for the glory of God and service to humanity!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eWe are called to be kingdom people in our workplaces – and in whatever we do, to work at it with all our hearts, as working for the Lord. Having a God-given sense of purpose in our days is essential if we are to live fulfilled lives. This book offers helpful pointers to living a purposeful life and is a great addition to the library of all who are seeking to be faithful, fruitful and fulfilled in their workplaces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eDavid Steinegger holds a number of non-executive positions, is a people builder, a church leader, and a trustee of several charities, including Wycliffe Bible Translators UK, which he chairs.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 21.07.24. Review by Eve Poole\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThis new book on work from Chris Gillies benefits from his lifetime of working in the financial-services sector. He has spent more than 40 years in finance, working in many different markets, particularly for Zurich Insurance; and has more than 30 years’ experience as a board member of various charities, including the Children’s Society and the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity. His book synthesises his own rich experience of work with his research and with perspectives from the Bible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eWhat sold the book to me was that it was described as 'quite simply the best book I have read about the interrelationship between Christian faith and our working lives for a very long time' by Richard Higginson. As the founder of Faith in Business, he is the oracle in this field, because he has read every book ever written on the subject. So, on this glowing recommendation, I dived straight in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe book itself is very readable, with a handy summary section and points for reflection at each chapter end. Part I focuses on the basics, such as using the Bible, addressing selfishness, being fruitful, and the need to keep a focus on God’s work throughout. Part II covers “Biblical role models” from Joseph to Jesus, and profiles forgotten heroes, such as Boaz as the model employer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003ePart III tackles a range of knotty topics, from money to ethical decision-making, in which my favourite chapter was on “Balancing the Big Five”. It asks some sharp questions about work-life balance. His Big Five are: time with God, time with family, work time (paid or unpaid), time building community, and time for rest, leisure, and exercise. He encourages readers to analyse how they are spending their time across these activities, to identify where time spent may be out of kilter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eI also really appreciated his wise words on vocation: 'the key to finding your special God-given calling is to loosen your grip on the idea that God is calling you to do a specific job.' Charles Eve once called this yearning for the certainty of a highlighted job advert our desire to 'grab the steering wheel' instead of letting God drive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eGillies likewise reminds us to look with soft eyes on the totality of our mission in life, to discern where our work and any particular job fits into the whole. Given that the world of work these days is very non-linear, this is sage advice. At the end of the book, Gillies recommends that we make use of a period of retreat to take stock of our work, to recommit ourselves to our vocation in its totality, and to listen for what God might be saying to us about what we should do next.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eDr Eve Poole writes on theology, economics, and leadership.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCPAS Lead on newsletter review June 2024. Review by Mike Duff\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eSt Paul charges the Philippians, as citizens of heaven, to live utterly different lives to the Roman citizens around them. With 30 years' experience in top-level corporate leadership, Chris Gillies delivers the same powerful challenge to Christians immersed in the culture of their working life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e'The idea God was as interested in my work as he was in the way I did church... that God might have work for me to do at my workplace didn't really occur to me. My understanding of why God mattered to my daily work was virtually non-existent.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eAs at home in the Bible as the workplace, Chris addresses this autobiographical question through four basic themes: how it all started; the problem of selfishness; what it means to be fruitful; where we are heading. Elements of the salvation story are carefully worked out as they apply not in church, home or individual discipleship but in our working life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eNext, he explores with penetrating insight some obvious biblical role models - Joseph, Jethro, Daniel and others - and less obviously how Jesus approached his own redeeming work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe longest section applies biblical discipleship themes to the workplace: What is the prevailing workplace worldview and how might we confront and change it? Am I in the right job? How can we do we do the right thing and adopt a godly lifestyle amid pressures to conform? How do we balance the major claims on our time when work demands everything? How would Jesus have us handle money and lead others? What is our true reward for working well?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003ePreachers will recognise in this outstanding resource many familiar insights but applied with a clarity, insight and authority ew will have achieved. Those whose work is outside the church will find themselves challenged by God's intimate and relentless concern with their working life. Church leaders will be given a profound insight into the world of work and how to shape the life of the church so that it connects with this vital 'frontline'.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Mike Duff, CPAS Patronage Secretary\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eRichard Frost, writer and blogger: \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/workrestpray.com\/\"\u003eworkrestpray.com\u003c\/a\u003e. 1 June 2024\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eBooks providing a Christian perspective on work can at times feel as rare as hearing a sermon on the topic. So, Chris Gillies' offering is a welcome contribution and one which I looked forward to reading.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eI spent most of my professional career helping people with their work and also supporting businesses and organisations in caring for staff. I even wrote a book about it myself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eChris Gillies brings a wealth of experience from senior management positions in financial sector businesses and charitable organisations. This, combined with insight from his faith and biblical knowledge, and observations from others (most notably Mark Greene, well known for his own work in this field) provides a strong base on which to build.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eGillies explores the nature of work from Genesis through Old Testament examples such as Joseph and Daniel and the core characteristics Jesus demonstrates for us to aspire to. The author also includes a number of examples of businesses adopting a godly approach towards people, practice and profit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eIts pages are full of well-rehearsed biblical insights and familiar business-speak which will resonate particularly with those with similar faith perspectives and senior leadership experience. For this reviewer, I would have liked to have seen more content which relates to the vast majority of those who find themselves on the way to work: the ones who don't occupy well-paid, high-level, influential roles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eNevertheless, for those who wish to explore this important aspect of life (and one which, for many, occupies a considerable amount of it of it) it is a thought-provoking read.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Richard Frost, a former employment specialist, and the author of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/life-with-st-benedict-the-rule-re-imagined-for-everyday-living\"\u003eLife with St Benedict\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/richardfrostauthor.com\/\"\u003efour other books\u003c\/a\u003e. Richard writes a blog at \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/workrestpray.com\/\"\u003eworkrestpray.com\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBooks for Today April 2024. Paul Beasley-Murray\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eOn the way to work: A Christian approach to thinking differently about success and fulfilment \u003c\/em\u003eby Chris Gillies, who is the treasurer of the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity, is intended for all those who are at work, to help them live out their faith Mondays to Fridays. Divided into three parts, the first section is entitled ‘From a garden to a city’; the second looks at some of the Old Testament heroes and goes on to reflect on Jesus and how Christians today have sought to implement the teaching of Jesus in the workplace; while the third section deals with some is very down-to-earth issues such as how hard we should we work along with money matters. At the end of each chapter there’s a summary of the key principles. This is a good book for ministers to commend to their people.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: 150%; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 7.5pt 0cm 7.5pt 0cm;\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"more-8148\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: #202020;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/paulbeasleymurray.us12.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=a45b3e6fc109e00f067477a28\u0026amp;id=802455cdc0\u0026amp;e=3cc647e01f\" style=\"-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Aptos; color: #007c89;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-03-07T17:10:46+00:00","created_at":"2024-01-02T12:35:44+00:00","vendor":"Chris Gillies","type":"Paperback","tags":["2024","Discipleship","For individuals","Glassboxx","Mission"],"price":1299,"price_min":1299,"price_max":1299,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":43664199483583,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800392397","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":35270451462335,"product_id":7619786244287,"position":1,"created_at":"2024-01-02T12:37:31+00:00","updated_at":"2024-01-02T12:37:33+00:00","alt":null,"width":1535,"height":2339,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/OntheWaytoWork.jpg?v=1704199053","variant_ids":[43664199483583]},"available":true,"name":"On the Way to Work: A Christian approach to thinking differently about success and fulfillment - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":1299,"weight":316,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800392397","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":27997854695615,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"width":1535,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/OntheWaytoWork.jpg?v=1704199053"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/OntheWaytoWork.jpg?v=1704199053"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/OntheWaytoWork.jpg?v=1704199053","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":27997854695615,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"width":1535,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/OntheWaytoWork.jpg?v=1704199053"},"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/OntheWaytoWork.jpg?v=1704199053","width":1535}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eDoes your work give you a sense of purpose? How do you feel when work serves up difficulties and problems? How do we work well? Is there a God, and might God have something to say about the way we work? Weaving together biblical perspectives with academic research and his own experiences of working in different settings, Chris Gillies lays the theological foundation for work, moves on to examining biblical role models from both Old and New Testaments, and concludes by exploring common issues we wrestle with in our work, from money matters or managing and leading others to knowing if we’re in the right job or simply doing the right thing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/zocoSqG4BN4?si=wpDl7TTQSwymPIW1\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChris Gillies\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cspan\u003eWith thirty years’ experience of working at director level in financial services, Chris Gillies has also served on the boards of four different churches and ten UK charities including Westminster Theological Centre and The Children’s Society. He is Chair of Council for Stewardship and Treasurer for LICC.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘There’s new thinking here, hammered out on the anvil of a long, demanding, and successful career at the highest corporate levels through prayerful reflection, biblical engagement and careful analysis. Chris Gillies offers us a rich understanding of God’s purposes for humankind, framing his approach to work on the dynamic springboard of the life, character and work of Jesus, and on the ongoing empowering of the Holy Spirit for everyday work. This is a book that anyone at any level could profit from. Bravo. And thank you.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eMark Greene, mission champion, The London Institute for Contemporary Christianity (LICC)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Christians just don’t think enough about work and the way work is changing. On the Way to Work is a treasure trove of deep insight from the scriptures and a mine of good advice from a seasoned practitioner. Chris Gillies’ insights are honed from many years’ experience and will be lifegiving for all kinds of people in different roles and occupations.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eSteven Croft, bishop of Oxford\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘On the Way to Work paints a reframing vision of how we can approach our working lives as worship. Such a brilliant handbook for how to approach the world of work with a kingdom-first mindset. Equipping, affirming and inspiring. I can’t wait for Monday!’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eCaragh Bennet, cofounder and CEO, ZENA\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Chris Gillies combines values with brilliant business acumen. He is one of the few people I pause to think “what would Chris do” and, most importantly, how. I’ve been lucky enough for Chris to have been my professional mentor since working together at Zurich. This book offers the opportunity for everyone to experience his wisdom and guidance, helping you choose how to spend your energy and achieve your aspirations, with morals at the forefront of decisions and actions.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eKathryn Axcell-Steele, head of brand and integrated marketing, Wesleyan Assurance Society\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Chris Gillies offers a rich and rare combination of biblical wisdom, practical insight and personal experience that will inspire Christians to think differently about their work and its significance. My hope and prayer is that Christians and other readers will learn from Chris and the compelling vision he sets forth in this book.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eMatt Lynch, associate professor of Old Testament, Regent College\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘This important book is insightful and inspiring, and full of invaluable, real-life examples of leaders navigating the world of work. Anyone who is keen to discover how to best deploy their influence for the kingdom of God will find much here to guide them through their careers.’\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStephen Foster, rector, St Aldates, Oxford, and advisor, Alpha UK\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e‘A theology of work and a work of theology. Over many years of treasured friendship, Chris Gillies both demonstrated to me and challenged me to see that the call of God, the vocation of the Christian, is not limited to ordained ministers and foreign missionaries, but rests upon all who follow Jesus and all who are sent to serve the king and his kingdom in every sphere of life and work.’\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSimon Ponsonby, pastor of theology, St Aldates, Oxford\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e‘\u003c\/em\u003eThis book will expand your vision of what a deeply fruitful and successful life looks like. A central premise of the book is that our work matters to God and God really does matter to our work. With that as a robust foundation, Chris Gillies tackles many layers of the implications of what that means for our frontline work, time, money, decision making, relationships; in essence, our whole lives!’\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNess Wilson, leader, Pioneer UK\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e‘This is a remarkable book, and you should read it. In these pages,\u003cbr\u003eChris Gillies illuminates a path to work that is not only distinctive but\u003cbr\u003ealso the way of Jesus and of the kingdom of God. If you let this book\u003cbr\u003edo its work, it will change you – for good. Chris has crafted a work\u003cbr\u003ethat is truly transformative – a powerful journey towards personal\u003cbr\u003eand spiritual growth.’\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaul Woolley, chief executive, The London Institute for\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContemporary Christianity (LICC)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e‘This is a timely book on the importance of work – what we do, how we\u003cbr\u003edo it and most importantly why work is part of God’s plan for what it\u003cbr\u003emeans to be human. Chris Gillies brings together years of experience,\u003cbr\u003ea biblical framework and lots of helpful illustrations in a very readable\u003cbr\u003eand accessible style.’\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeter Lynas, UK director, Evangelical Alliance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘This is quite simply the best book I have read about the interrelationship between Christian faith and our working lives for a very long time. Chris Gillies repeatedly illustrates wise practical advice with telling anecdotes from his own experience, covering many different topics, acknowledging the value of different perspectives and sharing maturely what God has taught him along the way.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eRichard Higginson, former director and chair, Faith in Business\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your career, this book has something invaluable to offer. It masterfully combines the wisdom of years of experience with practical advice, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking God’s calling on their life and true success in their work.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eReuben Coulter, senior advisor, Faith Driven Investor and partner, Ignis Advisory\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘This is a book that has been over 40 years in the writing and its depth and insights reflect the journey of a man who has set his sights on bringing kingdom influence to the highest level of businesses.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eNic Harding, director, Kairos Connexion and Together for the Harvest\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Chris Gillies writes a wonderfully practical and thoughtful book that speaks powerfully about what it means to engage in the world of work in a distinctively Christian way. He constructs a brilliant, thorough and nuanced analysis that challenges the oft-prevailing and unhelpful narrative of the sacred–secular divide, and offers beautifully crafted autobiographical, theological and academic reflections to suggest an alternative mode of being for operating as a Christian in the workplace.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eCatherine Delve, CEO, Resurgam Asset Management Limited; chair of trustees, Bridge the Gap Football\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTudor Humphreys: BRF Ministries supporter and Friend January 2025\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen I saw this book promoted in a BRF Ministries newsletter I ordered it from my local Christian bookshop. What I like about it is that Chris Gillies has obviously worked and thrived in high pressure work environments, but like many people he stumbled into his first job not really thinking through what his Christian faith had to say about it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLater he learned better:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- He has worked out for himself and shared with readers what the Bible has to say about work and how to live out our Christian beliefs in the workplace.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- He takes us through the Bible from God’s ‘work’ in creation in Genesis to our role in working to ‘continue the creation story’ via the parable of the tenants in Matthew, Mark and Luke, to our role as ‘fellow workers’ in the family business of ‘Sustaining and caring for His creation’ in 1 Corinthians.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- He offers real life examples of how to manage power, authority, roles\/responsibilities, wealth and time, instead of hiding anything to do with faith until we enter a church at the weekend.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- He addresses Christian approaches to the challenges of balancing the needs of organisations to do productive work as well as addressing the needs of people doing the work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThinking about work and investing time in the process has been instilled in me since I studied with the YMCA College\/University of Kent in the 1980\/90s soon after making a commitment to follow the Master when my wife and I were called to establish a charity with a Christian ethos, focused on working with those outside the church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe author places our work as Christians, whether in the office the farm, factory, hairdressers or supermarket, on an equal footing to what might be called ‘Christian ministry\/mission roles'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI like that and it’s not just the author’s view. He says this:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘If you listen to modern mission organisations you’ll hear a shift in the way think and talk about mission. You’ll hear more talk about how every role is important including those who work in the marketplace…’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe author takes us through a series of steps from what the Bible has to say about ‘work’, including Colossians 3:23-24 Work at everything you do with all your heart. Work as if you were working for the Lord, not for human masters. Work because you know that you will finally receive as a reward what the Lord wants you to have. You are slaves of the Lord Christ.’ (NIRV)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs well as drawing from his own experience in business, he cites examples of other ‘workers’ and gives real work\/life case studies of how to proclaim and demonstrate the gospel, and how to be ‘salt and light’ in a holistic, integrated way in a modern workplace in a changing society.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo if you’ve never considered your day to day work as ‘important’ in terms of building ‘the Kingdom,’ or if you’ve been thinking about work and faith for a while, this book might just encourage you to keep on ‘blossoming where you’ve been planted’ or inspire you to take courage, and explore new ways of being a ‘labourer in the harvest field’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Tudor Humphreys BRF supporter and friend\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTogether magazine November\/December 2024. Review by Fiona Lloyd\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor many of us work is an important part of our daily life. This includes not just paid employment but also voluntary work, studying and work within the home (such as raising children). Yet unless we have an overtly ‘Christian’ job such as ministry or missionary roles, it can be easy to regard our work as being somehow distinct from our spiritual life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChris Gillies has worked in the business and finance sector for over 40 years, and more recently has used his skills to serve in the charitable sector. As he progressed in his career, he gradually became more aware of the importance of how his faith affected the way he worked, and how working in any environment – secular as well as Christian – should be viewed as work for God. Out of this realisation came his latest book, \u003ci\u003eOn the Way to Work\u003c\/i\u003e. In this book, Gillies discusses how seeing our work and faith as being intertwined rather than completely separate from each other can change our perspective and bring fresh motivation, explaining how applying biblical ideology can transform the workplace and lead to increased productivity and job satisfaction. And while this is written from a Christian perspective, Gillies is keen to emphasise that the principles he promotes are equally relevant for those of other faiths or no faith at all.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eOn the Way to Work \u003c\/i\u003eis split into three sections. The first gives the reader a spiritual overview of the Bible timeline, from the Garden of Eden to Christ’s return. Within this, Gillies examines how work is part of God’s plan for humankind and considers what it means to be fruitful. When set against the backdrop of eternity, our current work has long-term meaning, regardless of the nature of that work. Gillies reminds us that ‘The way we work can provide evidence today of God’s renewed order.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003eThe second section of the book focuses on biblical role models. Old Testament characters such as Joseph, Deborah and Daniel demonstrate what it means to honour God in our work, and how living and working according to his ways can affect those around us or for whom we have responsibility.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003eIn the New Testament it is assumed that Jesus himself worked for many years before beginning his itinerant ministry. While the Gospels tell us nothing about his years as a carpenter, we can still learn from the last three years of his earthly life. The way Jesus interacted with those around him provides an example as to how we should behave in the workplace.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003eGillies devotes the third section of the book (by far the longest part) to common issues we may encounter in the workplace. He starts by contrasting secular and sacred worldviews, showing how understanding the death and resurrection of Jesus can reform and rejuvenate our approach to work, and noting that ‘The divide in our worldview should not be between sacred and secular, but between God’s way and a more self-centred human way.’ Our role should not be simply to criticise the practices of modern society but to propose a better alternative.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003eLater chapters offer advice on how to implement Christian principles into our work environment so that individuals as well as companies can flourish. Gillies underpins these with numerous personal anecdotes, along with relevant Scripture quotes. He also encourages the reader to think about how to balance the ‘big five’ demands on our lives, namely: time with God; time with family; time at work; building community; rest and recreation. This is a helpful template, reminding us to view our lives holistically instead of focusing on one area to the detriment of the others.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003eA lot of ground is covered in \u003ci\u003eOn the Way to Work\u003c\/i\u003e, so I appreciated the way the author ended each chapter with a summary of the key points and a few questions for self-reflection. Gillies has an engaging style and manages to break complex topics down into smaller, more easily digestible chunks. This is a valuable resource for those who want to think more about how their faith relates to their work – whatever form that takes – and for pastors who want to help their congregations be salt and light to a watching world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eReviewed by Fiona Lloyd\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFaith in Business Quarterly (vol 23.2). Review by David Steinegger\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e‘On the way to work, do you look forward to your day? Does it give you a sense of purpose?’ So begins the introduction to Chris Gillies’ book. \u003ci\u003eOn the Way to Work \u003c\/i\u003eprovides a refreshing perspective on the theology of work, gives examples of some of the great biblical role models, offers practical insights into working through many of the common issues we face, and is enriched with examples from Chris’ own experience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe book is structured into three parts. The first part brings a theological perspective which starts in the Garden of Eden, continues through the redemption story and ends in the eternal city in Revelation. I appreciated how this section connects God’s great story for humankind with our stories and reminds us that our lives in our workplaces truly matter. The second part of the book highlights some of the great characters in the Old Testament and God’s anointing in their ‘workplaces’. It then moves on to the life of Christ and the characteristics of his redemptive approach. Part three, the largest section of the book, focuses on common issues we face in the workplace. This section starts with an insightful Christian worldview perspective, reminding us that there is no sacred-secular divide, and that God is profoundly interested in all of our lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eIn part three, Chris goes on to look at some real workplace issues, with biblical and practical insights to tackle them. For example, his chapter on ‘How do I know if I’m in the right job’ gives a scriptural base to address this question, together with practical pointers. Here he encourages readers to loosen their grip on a calling to do a specific job, and rather pursue their life’s mission. This will be helpful for many. I would add that at times God speaks very specifically into our career decisions through scripture, the holy spirit’s guidance and the voice of others. He tackles another real issue in the chapter ‘Balancing the big five’ – describing the challenge of the big five calls on our time – our relationship with God, family, work, community and rest and leisure. In reflecting on this, I was reminded that God has set eternity in our hearts (Eccl 3:11) and if we can live each day with this promise, and the challenge in mind, then we can come to a place of truly flourishing in our lives as Kingdom people – and this is much more precious than gold!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe 290 pages can at first feel a little overwhelming. But I devoured the book on two long haul flights, being stimulated by the three-cord strand of biblical theology, practical insight and great examples from Chris’ many years of experience in the workplace. The summaries at the end of each chapter are helpful, as are each chapter’s questions for personal reflection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eIt would have been helpful if the book had also explored the biblical basis and importance of having wise mentors or coaches: ‘Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.’ (Proverbs 11:14). I have found wise Christian mentors to be a great blessing on my journey in many workplaces across multiple countries and cultures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eI would also like to have seen a template in the book summarising some of the more practical learning points which are interspersed throughout the book. Perhaps a workbook could follow!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eAppropriately, the book ends with a chapter on ‘the prize for running well.’ We are called to be faithful with the gifts and abilities that God has given us. We are reminded that our wok in the here and now foreshadows a new kind of redeemed work after Jesus returns. And here’s a great challenge that Chris presents: we have the opportunity to anticipate that future time by modelling it in the present and living it now for the glory of God and service to humanity!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eWe are called to be kingdom people in our workplaces – and in whatever we do, to work at it with all our hearts, as working for the Lord. Having a God-given sense of purpose in our days is essential if we are to live fulfilled lives. This book offers helpful pointers to living a purposeful life and is a great addition to the library of all who are seeking to be faithful, fruitful and fulfilled in their workplaces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eDavid Steinegger holds a number of non-executive positions, is a people builder, a church leader, and a trustee of several charities, including Wycliffe Bible Translators UK, which he chairs.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 21.07.24. Review by Eve Poole\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThis new book on work from Chris Gillies benefits from his lifetime of working in the financial-services sector. He has spent more than 40 years in finance, working in many different markets, particularly for Zurich Insurance; and has more than 30 years’ experience as a board member of various charities, including the Children’s Society and the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity. His book synthesises his own rich experience of work with his research and with perspectives from the Bible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eWhat sold the book to me was that it was described as 'quite simply the best book I have read about the interrelationship between Christian faith and our working lives for a very long time' by Richard Higginson. As the founder of Faith in Business, he is the oracle in this field, because he has read every book ever written on the subject. So, on this glowing recommendation, I dived straight in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe book itself is very readable, with a handy summary section and points for reflection at each chapter end. Part I focuses on the basics, such as using the Bible, addressing selfishness, being fruitful, and the need to keep a focus on God’s work throughout. Part II covers “Biblical role models” from Joseph to Jesus, and profiles forgotten heroes, such as Boaz as the model employer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003ePart III tackles a range of knotty topics, from money to ethical decision-making, in which my favourite chapter was on “Balancing the Big Five”. It asks some sharp questions about work-life balance. His Big Five are: time with God, time with family, work time (paid or unpaid), time building community, and time for rest, leisure, and exercise. He encourages readers to analyse how they are spending their time across these activities, to identify where time spent may be out of kilter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eI also really appreciated his wise words on vocation: 'the key to finding your special God-given calling is to loosen your grip on the idea that God is calling you to do a specific job.' Charles Eve once called this yearning for the certainty of a highlighted job advert our desire to 'grab the steering wheel' instead of letting God drive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eGillies likewise reminds us to look with soft eyes on the totality of our mission in life, to discern where our work and any particular job fits into the whole. Given that the world of work these days is very non-linear, this is sage advice. At the end of the book, Gillies recommends that we make use of a period of retreat to take stock of our work, to recommit ourselves to our vocation in its totality, and to listen for what God might be saying to us about what we should do next.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eDr Eve Poole writes on theology, economics, and leadership.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCPAS Lead on newsletter review June 2024. Review by Mike Duff\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eSt Paul charges the Philippians, as citizens of heaven, to live utterly different lives to the Roman citizens around them. With 30 years' experience in top-level corporate leadership, Chris Gillies delivers the same powerful challenge to Christians immersed in the culture of their working life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e'The idea God was as interested in my work as he was in the way I did church... that God might have work for me to do at my workplace didn't really occur to me. My understanding of why God mattered to my daily work was virtually non-existent.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eAs at home in the Bible as the workplace, Chris addresses this autobiographical question through four basic themes: how it all started; the problem of selfishness; what it means to be fruitful; where we are heading. Elements of the salvation story are carefully worked out as they apply not in church, home or individual discipleship but in our working life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eNext, he explores with penetrating insight some obvious biblical role models - Joseph, Jethro, Daniel and others - and less obviously how Jesus approached his own redeeming work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe longest section applies biblical discipleship themes to the workplace: What is the prevailing workplace worldview and how might we confront and change it? Am I in the right job? How can we do we do the right thing and adopt a godly lifestyle amid pressures to conform? How do we balance the major claims on our time when work demands everything? How would Jesus have us handle money and lead others? What is our true reward for working well?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003ePreachers will recognise in this outstanding resource many familiar insights but applied with a clarity, insight and authority ew will have achieved. Those whose work is outside the church will find themselves challenged by God's intimate and relentless concern with their working life. Church leaders will be given a profound insight into the world of work and how to shape the life of the church so that it connects with this vital 'frontline'.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Mike Duff, CPAS Patronage Secretary\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eRichard Frost, writer and blogger: \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/workrestpray.com\/\"\u003eworkrestpray.com\u003c\/a\u003e. 1 June 2024\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eBooks providing a Christian perspective on work can at times feel as rare as hearing a sermon on the topic. So, Chris Gillies' offering is a welcome contribution and one which I looked forward to reading.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eI spent most of my professional career helping people with their work and also supporting businesses and organisations in caring for staff. I even wrote a book about it myself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eChris Gillies brings a wealth of experience from senior management positions in financial sector businesses and charitable organisations. This, combined with insight from his faith and biblical knowledge, and observations from others (most notably Mark Greene, well known for his own work in this field) provides a strong base on which to build.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eGillies explores the nature of work from Genesis through Old Testament examples such as Joseph and Daniel and the core characteristics Jesus demonstrates for us to aspire to. The author also includes a number of examples of businesses adopting a godly approach towards people, practice and profit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eIts pages are full of well-rehearsed biblical insights and familiar business-speak which will resonate particularly with those with similar faith perspectives and senior leadership experience. For this reviewer, I would have liked to have seen more content which relates to the vast majority of those who find themselves on the way to work: the ones who don't occupy well-paid, high-level, influential roles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eNevertheless, for those who wish to explore this important aspect of life (and one which, for many, occupies a considerable amount of it of it) it is a thought-provoking read.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Richard Frost, a former employment specialist, and the author of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/life-with-st-benedict-the-rule-re-imagined-for-everyday-living\"\u003eLife with St Benedict\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/richardfrostauthor.com\/\"\u003efour other books\u003c\/a\u003e. Richard writes a blog at \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/workrestpray.com\/\"\u003eworkrestpray.com\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBooks for Today April 2024. Paul Beasley-Murray\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eOn the way to work: A Christian approach to thinking differently about success and fulfilment \u003c\/em\u003eby Chris Gillies, who is the treasurer of the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity, is intended for all those who are at work, to help them live out their faith Mondays to Fridays. Divided into three parts, the first section is entitled ‘From a garden to a city’; the second looks at some of the Old Testament heroes and goes on to reflect on Jesus and how Christians today have sought to implement the teaching of Jesus in the workplace; while the third section deals with some is very down-to-earth issues such as how hard we should we work along with money matters. At the end of each chapter there’s a summary of the key principles. This is a good book for ministers to commend to their people.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: 150%; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 7.5pt 0cm 7.5pt 0cm;\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"more-8148\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: #202020;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/paulbeasleymurray.us12.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=a45b3e6fc109e00f067477a28\u0026amp;id=802455cdc0\u0026amp;e=3cc647e01f\" style=\"-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Aptos; color: #007c89;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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On the Way to Work: A Christian approach to thinking differently about success and fulfillment
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Does your work give you a sense of purpose? How do you feel when work serves up difficulties and problems?...
{"id":6285893566655,"title":"Changing the Climate: Applying the Bible in a climate emergency","handle":"changing-the-climate-applying-the-bible-in-a-climate-emergency","description":"\u003cp\u003eA series of Bible passages unpacked to show the Bible’s relevance to environmentalism, and how we can all play our part in limiting the negative effects of climate change.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe climate crisis is one of the most important issues of our time, threatening lives and livelihoods. The Bible teaches us that God the creator put humans on the Earth to take care of it; to show love to all, and to care for the poor and vulnerable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach of the twelve chapters looks at a particular Bible passage, connects it with climate action, poses questions and suggests practical steps that can be taken.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/Hawkerfamily1_480x480.jpg?v=1676496058\" width=\"216\" height=\"337\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Hawkers are a Christian family who are taking action for climate justice. Psychologists Debbie and David Hawker work with Tearfund and other campaign organisations. Their teenage son Jamie also campaigns on climate issues and is part of the ‘Green Agents of Change’ initiative within the Methodist Church.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003ePraise for \u003cem\u003eChanging the Climate\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘I wish this book had been available when my children were younger! It’s wise and informative yet wonderfully easy to read. It moves from the biblical to the practical, the local to the global, making the complex simple and succeeding in both being deeply challenging yet also life-affirming and hope-giving.’\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eRevd Dr Dave Bookless, director of theology, A Rocha International and author of \u003cem\u003ePlanetwise\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Challenging, engaging and practical, this is a wonderful resource to journey through either individually or as a family. It provides all sort of ideas of how you can make a difference, and solid reasoning for the urgency of doing so. Read it and live it!’ \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSimon Guillebaud, author, speaker and international director for Great Lakes Outreach \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Jamie, Debbie and David have written a comprehensive and practical guide to help us navigate our way through the choices and complexities of living more lightly on the planet. I love the tips and links, the quotes, the clear and challenging Bible studies, and the deep dives into the science and theology. This is one of the best and most accessible books I have read on \u003cem\u003ewhy\u003c\/em\u003e Christians should care about climate change, and \u003cem\u003ewhat\u003c\/em\u003e we can do about it. This is a book to be read and shared with your family, friends and church.’\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eCaroline Pomeroy, director, Climate Stewards\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘I love the fact that this book is global, intergenerational and intersectional in its scope, while still remaining accessible and full of hope. It presents a robust, biblical case for the need for Christians to engage with the work of climate justice and offers small and large ways in which this can happen. Most importantly, it provides a platform to hear from and celebrate young people who are striving to make a difference.’\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/em\u003eLynne Norman, Methodist children, youth and family team\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘The Hawker family takes on climate change! Biblical insights drive them to take action on one of the most urgent issues of our time. This book is packed with hints and tips about how YOU can make a difference.’\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDr Martin Hodson, author, Oxford University lecturer and Principal Tutor for Christian Rural and Environmental Studies (CRES). \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘So often we hear the question, “But what can we do, and what if it doesn’t make a difference?” This easy-to-read book offers a guide to faith-filled, faithful action undertaken as part of our discipleship. Highly recommend.’\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eRachel Mander, on behalf of Young Christian Climate Network\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘This is a remarkable, timely book on a fundamental remit of all Christians. As it takes a multilevel approach, from initial ideas to complex changes, it is really accessible to people of all ages and experiences. The mixture of stories, Bible studies, statistics and next steps keeps it readable and relatable. As a missionary, minister and parent who has home-educated for years, I can see so many uses for this resource – personal study\/challenge, family devotion, small group project, educational material – and I highly recommend it.’\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eHannah Prosser, Assemblies of God GB mission team\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘This book is a wonderfully rich, engaging resource for meaningfully exploring and practically responding to one of \u003cem\u003ethe\u003c\/em\u003e most pressing issues of our time. It facilitates intergenerational reflection on a wide diversity of environmental concerns in ways that are informative and interesting, considered yet challenging, and bold while biblical. Jamie’s (very helpful) tips at the end of each chapter have really motivated our family to up our game in terms of creation care engagement!’ \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eRichard and Louisa Evans,\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eEn Route Course facilitators, All Nations Christian College, UK\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Weaving together biblical insight, creative and accessible suggestions for taking action, and stories sourced from around the globe, this is rich resource for Christians of all ages wanting to engage with the climate crisis. Highly recommended.’ \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eJo Swinney, head of communications, A Rocha International\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘As well as this work being packed with practical suggestions on what to do about climate change, it is refreshing to find biblical reflection on the environment which focuses not on the classically obvious passages about stewardship and respect for creation, but on many Bible texts which one would not normally associate with our responsibility towards the created world, such as the story of Jonah and the parable of the good Samaritan. This leads to such challenging questions as ‘Who is my neighbour in the climate emergency?’ Written by a mother who has not driven for 20 years, a father known as the Cycling Psychologist and a son who wants to be a train driver, this book brings lessons from those who know what they are talking about.’ \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eMark Greenwood, Baptist Missionary Society World Mission, overseas team leader for South America and Sub-Saharan Africa\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘\u003cem\u003eChanging the Climate\u003c\/em\u003e is a comprehensive, challenging and highly practical book that uses the Bible well with latest scientific evidence stating the case for us all to be more engaged in addressing climate change. The chapters are easily accessible, offering practical tips of things we can do to embrace creation care, interspersed with contemporary global examples where people and nations are suffering because of the current crisis they are experiencing. With space for personal reflection throughout, this book will help individuals, groups and families learn, adapt and change their behaviours as together we tackle one of the key issues of our time.’\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePhil, director, AWM-Pioneers \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘The book challenges its readers to engage both spiritually and factually with one of the biggest challenges facing humanity in the 21st century. Its clever, interactive and logical style makes it attractive to all ages. I enjoyed that each chapter was divided into sections. This made it easier to read and also easier to refer back to as needed. I really enjoyed Jamie’s tips, which are full of interesting facts and easy steps that anyone can take as they journey to make their lifestyle more environmentally friendly. A very enjoyable and informative read.’ \u003cbr\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSimone Formolo-Lockyer, Latin Link\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘An extremely thoughtful, well-written yet practical book. Accessible and useful for all ages of your family and your church. It relates having a Christian faith to taking an action on climate change. If you are a Christian (or even if you are not!) and you’d like to know what \u003cem\u003eyou\u003c\/em\u003e can actually do to help save our planet – then this is the book for you.’ \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eRichard Jackson, youth leader\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Roger Day\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNearly 50 years ago as a young Christian journalist I was involved in writing about Christians living more simply, being less wasteful and finding joy in God’s beautiful earth. It was for a substantial section in \u003cem\u003eCrusade\u003c\/em\u003e magazine, produced by a group of us within the Evangelical Alliance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNow, all these decades later, Christians are yet again facing up to managing waste, reducing their carbon footprint and helping to save the planet. This time it’s become a genuine emergency.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis powerful book explores climate change and the need for action in clearly written sections: The problem; Why we should act; What we can do. Within each of these three sections there are chapters on such issues as Want, Hope in action, A time to plant and Mustard seeds (and young people) matter. Each chapter starts with two or three Bible passages and includes a brilliant section for deeper thinkers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDebbie and David Hawker are well respected psychologists with doctorates in the subject. Instead of producing an intellectual book, they have written in a clear, easy to understand style. Children and young people as well as adults are likely to find the book accessible as well as helpful and challenging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe third contributor is David and Debbie’s 14-year-old son, Jamie. At the end of each chapter there is a section called ‘Jamie’s tips’. He also writes a glossary of terms at the end of the book. His ideas are thoughtful and easily understood. Jamie is a fan of Greta Thunberg, the climate activist. Like her, he has been involved in actions for climate change. As a result of his efforts for the environment, his Christian family caught the enthusiasm and are now vocal advocates for such change.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis excellent book is great for use by individuals, families and church groups. It will be ideal for parents, teachers in primary and secondary schools and Christian youth leaders. It contains plenty of important scientific facts and has a comprehensive appendix on ways to understand climate change. Hopefully it will help to counter the fake news circulating in some Christian circles that climate change isn’t true. Sadly, a book with such detailed material lacks an index.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI strongly recommend \u003cem\u003eChanging the Climate.\u003c\/em\u003e It’s a very useful tool for people who have a deep concern about the future of our planet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Roger Day, retired psychotherapist and play therapist\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWendy Bebbington, creative director of Newenglish design agency\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'This is an easy to read book, clearly laid out - I'm reading it just for me, but can see how good it would be to use in groups. I love that teenager Jamie has taken some really smart actions that are inspiring me to think differently. It is packed with information and links that help me feel I can make changes and do things that will make a difference.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI really like how they intertwine the bible into the whole book in a way that is very natural and gives a fresh look at how we care for God's planet'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDr. Joel Callow, Zero Carbon Building Engineer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat an excellent guide for Christians wrestling with this most serious of modern subjects. Rooted in a clear-thinking, biblical world view, the Hawker family has a refreshingly positive and hopeful take on responding to climate change. They present the difficult reality without pulling their punches, illuminate this from the bible, then move on to practical steps we can take to make the future better than the present. Having read this for myself, I am now looking forward to reading it with my teenage children, and to choosing which of the many excellent charities they recommend to support as a family. Thank you Hawkers for writing a book of hope in challenging times.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/jri.org.uk\/hannah-gray-reviews-changing-the-climate-by-debbie-david-and-jamie-hawker\/\"\u003eThe John Rae Initiative (JRI) blog\u003c\/a\u003e. Review by Hannah Gray, June 2021\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a straight-talking, down-to-earth book written by a married couple and their teenage son. Debbie and David Hawker are psychologists who work with mission organisations and their son, Jamie, is a teenage climate activist. The book has two subtitles ‘Applying the Bible in a climate emergency’ and ‘A resource for families and churches’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach chapter profiles a different Christian charity working to alleviate the effects of climate change amongst vulnerable communities around the world and highlights an inspiring testimony from a young climate activist in diverse cultures and contexts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese real-life stories feature along the way, as the authors take the reader on a journey from the roots of the climate emergency, through the creation care narrative of the Bible, to the call for all Christians to wake up to the urgency and scale of action required. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eApplying the Bible in a climate emergency\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe writers frame the climate emergency problem around our spiritual condition, beginning Part 1 with two chapters (Waste and Want) that describe how our collective greed and wastefulness has created global environmental problems. In Part 2 they explain the Christian imperative for creation care, in four chapters organised around core Biblical themes of Faith, Love, Hope and Wisdom. The final section, Part 3 ‘What we can do?’, takes inspiration from scripture to suggest changes to travel and diet, to boost biodiversity, and to consider politics and protest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe whole book is grounded in scripture. Apparently, every book of the Bible is referenced somewhere in the text – but I will take their word for it! Each chapter begins with a Bible passage that has relevance to the topic addressed, and sometimes the authors offer a modern adaptation of the passage to suggest how it could read for society today. I found these climate-nuanced translations of familiar verses and parables particularly thought-provoking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is also grounded in science. Evidence is laid out from around the world to show how planet and people are suffering from climate change. The information is clear and accessible; the colourful diagrams, photos and ‘Did you know?’ boxes make the pages visually interesting as well as aiding comprehension. For those who want to dig deeper, there are boxes for ‘deep thinkers’, an appendix that explains the science of climate change, and another which sets out carbon emission and climate vulnerability data for different countries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA resource for families and churches\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChanging the climate spells out the urgency of the environmental problems we are all facing, whilst also making a compelling biblical case to take action. Yet the greatest strength is the practical ideas and tips listed at the end of each chapter. They range from quick and easy changes (eg re-use wrapping paper, be vegetarian once a week) to the more challenging lifestyle choices like how we heat our homes and whether to take a no-fly pledge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSmall groups could effectively journey together through the book, discussing issues highlighted in the green question boxes that punctuate the text. There are videos and websites mentioned in Appendix D for extra content in group study settings. Each chapter finishes with a box to write what you will attempt to do in the next month. Being accountable in a small group should be an effective tool for embedding change. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA humble tone and a brave attitude\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tone is informative, without being preachy, and encouraging, without being naïve. Importantly, the authors are humble, sharing what they could have done differently and how even determined eco-warriors can always do more. They acknowledge that individual change will not be enough to combat the climate emergency; there needs to be system change.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe chapter ‘Moving mountains: large scale action’ bravely faces up to contentious topics like nuclear power and population growth – ‘\u003cem\u003ehaving one less child would reduce greenhouse gases 75 times more than adopting a vegan diet\u003c\/em\u003e’. The controversial group Extinction Rebellion (XR) features as well: ‘\u003cem\u003emembers of XR have upset people, but so did Gandhi, civil rights activists, suffragettes and Jesus\u003c\/em\u003e’. I think sometimes as Christians we tiptoe around these issues and I appreciate the refreshing assertiveness found throughout the text.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book finishes with a reflection on 1 Corinthians 12, the Body of Christ, pointing out that some parts of the body are already suffering from climate change. They assert that each Christian needs to play their part towards a solution, whether that is praying, protesting, fundraising, innovating… what will your part be in fixing the climate emergency? This book offers plenty of inspiration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Hannah Gray for JRI\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry, winter 2022. Review by Roger Thornington\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book by the Hawker family – two clinical psychologists and their 14 year old son – is marketed as a ‘resource for families and churches considering climate change’. The book is designed as a workbook with three parts – ‘The problem’, ‘Why we should act’ and ‘What can we do?’ It concludes with five reference appendices and a glossary. All twelve chapters follow similar formats – a relevant Bible passage, a brief exposition and space to record your response. Options for action are reviewed – Extinction Rebellion is mentioned with approval, though with a caveat regarding its ethos. ‘Deep thinkers’ sections offer further details with some practical tips the authors have used. A brief thematic prayer is followed by related input from an organisation involved in addressing issues raised in the chapter, which concludes with ‘Jamie’s 12 tips for action’ and space to record your response. Does the book achieve the authors’ aim? Will you find it useful? I think families may benefit from reading it but for active ministers, I am not so sure. However, one thing is certain with climate change – doing nothing is not an option.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Roger Thornington\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2021-01-27T17:15:02+00:00","created_at":"2021-01-27T17:12:48+00:00","vendor":"Debbie Hawker","type":"Paperback","tags":["Environmental issues","Glassboxx","Jun-21","Mission"],"price":999,"price_min":999,"price_max":999,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":38055522828479,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800390225","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":28150457925823,"product_id":6285893566655,"position":1,"created_at":"2021-03-18T11:22:27+00:00","updated_at":"2021-03-18T11:22:28+00:00","alt":null,"width":1000,"height":1419,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800390225.jpg?v=1616066548","variant_ids":[38055522828479]},"available":true,"name":"Changing the Climate: Applying the Bible in a climate emergency - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":999,"weight":215,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800390225","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":20444151578815,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":1419,"width":1000,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800390225.jpg?v=1616066548"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800390225.jpg?v=1616066548"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800390225.jpg?v=1616066548","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":20444151578815,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":1419,"width":1000,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800390225.jpg?v=1616066548"},"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":1419,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800390225.jpg?v=1616066548","width":1000}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eA series of Bible passages unpacked to show the Bible’s relevance to environmentalism, and how we can all play our part in limiting the negative effects of climate change.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe climate crisis is one of the most important issues of our time, threatening lives and livelihoods. The Bible teaches us that God the creator put humans on the Earth to take care of it; to show love to all, and to care for the poor and vulnerable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach of the twelve chapters looks at a particular Bible passage, connects it with climate action, poses questions and suggests practical steps that can be taken.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/Hawkerfamily1_480x480.jpg?v=1676496058\" width=\"216\" height=\"337\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Hawkers are a Christian family who are taking action for climate justice. Psychologists Debbie and David Hawker work with Tearfund and other campaign organisations. Their teenage son Jamie also campaigns on climate issues and is part of the ‘Green Agents of Change’ initiative within the Methodist Church.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003ePraise for \u003cem\u003eChanging the Climate\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘I wish this book had been available when my children were younger! It’s wise and informative yet wonderfully easy to read. It moves from the biblical to the practical, the local to the global, making the complex simple and succeeding in both being deeply challenging yet also life-affirming and hope-giving.’\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eRevd Dr Dave Bookless, director of theology, A Rocha International and author of \u003cem\u003ePlanetwise\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Challenging, engaging and practical, this is a wonderful resource to journey through either individually or as a family. It provides all sort of ideas of how you can make a difference, and solid reasoning for the urgency of doing so. Read it and live it!’ \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSimon Guillebaud, author, speaker and international director for Great Lakes Outreach \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Jamie, Debbie and David have written a comprehensive and practical guide to help us navigate our way through the choices and complexities of living more lightly on the planet. I love the tips and links, the quotes, the clear and challenging Bible studies, and the deep dives into the science and theology. This is one of the best and most accessible books I have read on \u003cem\u003ewhy\u003c\/em\u003e Christians should care about climate change, and \u003cem\u003ewhat\u003c\/em\u003e we can do about it. This is a book to be read and shared with your family, friends and church.’\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eCaroline Pomeroy, director, Climate Stewards\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘I love the fact that this book is global, intergenerational and intersectional in its scope, while still remaining accessible and full of hope. It presents a robust, biblical case for the need for Christians to engage with the work of climate justice and offers small and large ways in which this can happen. Most importantly, it provides a platform to hear from and celebrate young people who are striving to make a difference.’\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/em\u003eLynne Norman, Methodist children, youth and family team\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘The Hawker family takes on climate change! Biblical insights drive them to take action on one of the most urgent issues of our time. This book is packed with hints and tips about how YOU can make a difference.’\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDr Martin Hodson, author, Oxford University lecturer and Principal Tutor for Christian Rural and Environmental Studies (CRES). \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘So often we hear the question, “But what can we do, and what if it doesn’t make a difference?” This easy-to-read book offers a guide to faith-filled, faithful action undertaken as part of our discipleship. Highly recommend.’\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eRachel Mander, on behalf of Young Christian Climate Network\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘This is a remarkable, timely book on a fundamental remit of all Christians. As it takes a multilevel approach, from initial ideas to complex changes, it is really accessible to people of all ages and experiences. The mixture of stories, Bible studies, statistics and next steps keeps it readable and relatable. As a missionary, minister and parent who has home-educated for years, I can see so many uses for this resource – personal study\/challenge, family devotion, small group project, educational material – and I highly recommend it.’\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eHannah Prosser, Assemblies of God GB mission team\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘This book is a wonderfully rich, engaging resource for meaningfully exploring and practically responding to one of \u003cem\u003ethe\u003c\/em\u003e most pressing issues of our time. It facilitates intergenerational reflection on a wide diversity of environmental concerns in ways that are informative and interesting, considered yet challenging, and bold while biblical. Jamie’s (very helpful) tips at the end of each chapter have really motivated our family to up our game in terms of creation care engagement!’ \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eRichard and Louisa Evans,\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eEn Route Course facilitators, All Nations Christian College, UK\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Weaving together biblical insight, creative and accessible suggestions for taking action, and stories sourced from around the globe, this is rich resource for Christians of all ages wanting to engage with the climate crisis. Highly recommended.’ \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eJo Swinney, head of communications, A Rocha International\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘As well as this work being packed with practical suggestions on what to do about climate change, it is refreshing to find biblical reflection on the environment which focuses not on the classically obvious passages about stewardship and respect for creation, but on many Bible texts which one would not normally associate with our responsibility towards the created world, such as the story of Jonah and the parable of the good Samaritan. This leads to such challenging questions as ‘Who is my neighbour in the climate emergency?’ Written by a mother who has not driven for 20 years, a father known as the Cycling Psychologist and a son who wants to be a train driver, this book brings lessons from those who know what they are talking about.’ \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eMark Greenwood, Baptist Missionary Society World Mission, overseas team leader for South America and Sub-Saharan Africa\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘\u003cem\u003eChanging the Climate\u003c\/em\u003e is a comprehensive, challenging and highly practical book that uses the Bible well with latest scientific evidence stating the case for us all to be more engaged in addressing climate change. The chapters are easily accessible, offering practical tips of things we can do to embrace creation care, interspersed with contemporary global examples where people and nations are suffering because of the current crisis they are experiencing. With space for personal reflection throughout, this book will help individuals, groups and families learn, adapt and change their behaviours as together we tackle one of the key issues of our time.’\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePhil, director, AWM-Pioneers \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘The book challenges its readers to engage both spiritually and factually with one of the biggest challenges facing humanity in the 21st century. Its clever, interactive and logical style makes it attractive to all ages. I enjoyed that each chapter was divided into sections. This made it easier to read and also easier to refer back to as needed. I really enjoyed Jamie’s tips, which are full of interesting facts and easy steps that anyone can take as they journey to make their lifestyle more environmentally friendly. A very enjoyable and informative read.’ \u003cbr\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSimone Formolo-Lockyer, Latin Link\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘An extremely thoughtful, well-written yet practical book. Accessible and useful for all ages of your family and your church. It relates having a Christian faith to taking an action on climate change. If you are a Christian (or even if you are not!) and you’d like to know what \u003cem\u003eyou\u003c\/em\u003e can actually do to help save our planet – then this is the book for you.’ \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eRichard Jackson, youth leader\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Roger Day\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNearly 50 years ago as a young Christian journalist I was involved in writing about Christians living more simply, being less wasteful and finding joy in God’s beautiful earth. It was for a substantial section in \u003cem\u003eCrusade\u003c\/em\u003e magazine, produced by a group of us within the Evangelical Alliance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNow, all these decades later, Christians are yet again facing up to managing waste, reducing their carbon footprint and helping to save the planet. This time it’s become a genuine emergency.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis powerful book explores climate change and the need for action in clearly written sections: The problem; Why we should act; What we can do. Within each of these three sections there are chapters on such issues as Want, Hope in action, A time to plant and Mustard seeds (and young people) matter. Each chapter starts with two or three Bible passages and includes a brilliant section for deeper thinkers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDebbie and David Hawker are well respected psychologists with doctorates in the subject. Instead of producing an intellectual book, they have written in a clear, easy to understand style. Children and young people as well as adults are likely to find the book accessible as well as helpful and challenging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe third contributor is David and Debbie’s 14-year-old son, Jamie. At the end of each chapter there is a section called ‘Jamie’s tips’. He also writes a glossary of terms at the end of the book. His ideas are thoughtful and easily understood. Jamie is a fan of Greta Thunberg, the climate activist. Like her, he has been involved in actions for climate change. As a result of his efforts for the environment, his Christian family caught the enthusiasm and are now vocal advocates for such change.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis excellent book is great for use by individuals, families and church groups. It will be ideal for parents, teachers in primary and secondary schools and Christian youth leaders. It contains plenty of important scientific facts and has a comprehensive appendix on ways to understand climate change. Hopefully it will help to counter the fake news circulating in some Christian circles that climate change isn’t true. Sadly, a book with such detailed material lacks an index.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI strongly recommend \u003cem\u003eChanging the Climate.\u003c\/em\u003e It’s a very useful tool for people who have a deep concern about the future of our planet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Roger Day, retired psychotherapist and play therapist\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWendy Bebbington, creative director of Newenglish design agency\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'This is an easy to read book, clearly laid out - I'm reading it just for me, but can see how good it would be to use in groups. I love that teenager Jamie has taken some really smart actions that are inspiring me to think differently. It is packed with information and links that help me feel I can make changes and do things that will make a difference.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI really like how they intertwine the bible into the whole book in a way that is very natural and gives a fresh look at how we care for God's planet'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDr. Joel Callow, Zero Carbon Building Engineer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat an excellent guide for Christians wrestling with this most serious of modern subjects. Rooted in a clear-thinking, biblical world view, the Hawker family has a refreshingly positive and hopeful take on responding to climate change. They present the difficult reality without pulling their punches, illuminate this from the bible, then move on to practical steps we can take to make the future better than the present. Having read this for myself, I am now looking forward to reading it with my teenage children, and to choosing which of the many excellent charities they recommend to support as a family. Thank you Hawkers for writing a book of hope in challenging times.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/jri.org.uk\/hannah-gray-reviews-changing-the-climate-by-debbie-david-and-jamie-hawker\/\"\u003eThe John Rae Initiative (JRI) blog\u003c\/a\u003e. Review by Hannah Gray, June 2021\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a straight-talking, down-to-earth book written by a married couple and their teenage son. Debbie and David Hawker are psychologists who work with mission organisations and their son, Jamie, is a teenage climate activist. The book has two subtitles ‘Applying the Bible in a climate emergency’ and ‘A resource for families and churches’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach chapter profiles a different Christian charity working to alleviate the effects of climate change amongst vulnerable communities around the world and highlights an inspiring testimony from a young climate activist in diverse cultures and contexts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese real-life stories feature along the way, as the authors take the reader on a journey from the roots of the climate emergency, through the creation care narrative of the Bible, to the call for all Christians to wake up to the urgency and scale of action required. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eApplying the Bible in a climate emergency\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe writers frame the climate emergency problem around our spiritual condition, beginning Part 1 with two chapters (Waste and Want) that describe how our collective greed and wastefulness has created global environmental problems. In Part 2 they explain the Christian imperative for creation care, in four chapters organised around core Biblical themes of Faith, Love, Hope and Wisdom. The final section, Part 3 ‘What we can do?’, takes inspiration from scripture to suggest changes to travel and diet, to boost biodiversity, and to consider politics and protest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe whole book is grounded in scripture. Apparently, every book of the Bible is referenced somewhere in the text – but I will take their word for it! Each chapter begins with a Bible passage that has relevance to the topic addressed, and sometimes the authors offer a modern adaptation of the passage to suggest how it could read for society today. I found these climate-nuanced translations of familiar verses and parables particularly thought-provoking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is also grounded in science. Evidence is laid out from around the world to show how planet and people are suffering from climate change. The information is clear and accessible; the colourful diagrams, photos and ‘Did you know?’ boxes make the pages visually interesting as well as aiding comprehension. For those who want to dig deeper, there are boxes for ‘deep thinkers’, an appendix that explains the science of climate change, and another which sets out carbon emission and climate vulnerability data for different countries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA resource for families and churches\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChanging the climate spells out the urgency of the environmental problems we are all facing, whilst also making a compelling biblical case to take action. Yet the greatest strength is the practical ideas and tips listed at the end of each chapter. They range from quick and easy changes (eg re-use wrapping paper, be vegetarian once a week) to the more challenging lifestyle choices like how we heat our homes and whether to take a no-fly pledge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSmall groups could effectively journey together through the book, discussing issues highlighted in the green question boxes that punctuate the text. There are videos and websites mentioned in Appendix D for extra content in group study settings. Each chapter finishes with a box to write what you will attempt to do in the next month. Being accountable in a small group should be an effective tool for embedding change. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA humble tone and a brave attitude\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tone is informative, without being preachy, and encouraging, without being naïve. Importantly, the authors are humble, sharing what they could have done differently and how even determined eco-warriors can always do more. They acknowledge that individual change will not be enough to combat the climate emergency; there needs to be system change.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe chapter ‘Moving mountains: large scale action’ bravely faces up to contentious topics like nuclear power and population growth – ‘\u003cem\u003ehaving one less child would reduce greenhouse gases 75 times more than adopting a vegan diet\u003c\/em\u003e’. The controversial group Extinction Rebellion (XR) features as well: ‘\u003cem\u003emembers of XR have upset people, but so did Gandhi, civil rights activists, suffragettes and Jesus\u003c\/em\u003e’. I think sometimes as Christians we tiptoe around these issues and I appreciate the refreshing assertiveness found throughout the text.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book finishes with a reflection on 1 Corinthians 12, the Body of Christ, pointing out that some parts of the body are already suffering from climate change. They assert that each Christian needs to play their part towards a solution, whether that is praying, protesting, fundraising, innovating… what will your part be in fixing the climate emergency? This book offers plenty of inspiration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Hannah Gray for JRI\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry, winter 2022. Review by Roger Thornington\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book by the Hawker family – two clinical psychologists and their 14 year old son – is marketed as a ‘resource for families and churches considering climate change’. The book is designed as a workbook with three parts – ‘The problem’, ‘Why we should act’ and ‘What can we do?’ It concludes with five reference appendices and a glossary. All twelve chapters follow similar formats – a relevant Bible passage, a brief exposition and space to record your response. Options for action are reviewed – Extinction Rebellion is mentioned with approval, though with a caveat regarding its ethos. ‘Deep thinkers’ sections offer further details with some practical tips the authors have used. A brief thematic prayer is followed by related input from an organisation involved in addressing issues raised in the chapter, which concludes with ‘Jamie’s 12 tips for action’ and space to record your response. Does the book achieve the authors’ aim? Will you find it useful? I think families may benefit from reading it but for active ministers, I am not so sure. However, one thing is certain with climate change – doing nothing is not an option.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Roger Thornington\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Changing the Climate: Applying the Bible in a climate emergency
£9.99
A series of Bible passages unpacked to show the Bible’s relevance to environmentalism, and how we can all play our...
{"id":6241520812223,"title":"Green Reflections: Biblical inspiration for sustainable living","handle":"green-reflections-biblical-inspiration-for-sustainable-living","description":"\u003cp\u003eHow should we look after the world we inhabit?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMartin and Margot Hodson bring together scientific and theological wisdom to offer 62 reflections inspired by passages from the Bible in a thoughtful exploration that encourages both reflection and response. Themes include The Wisdom of Trees, Landscapes of Promise and Sharing Resources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/MartinandMargotHodsonlatestApril2021_480x480.jpg?v=1676493999\" width=\"252\" height=\"201\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"x_MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDr. Martin Hodson\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis a plant scientist and environmental biologist and has over 100 publications mostly in international science journals. He teaches at both of the universities in Oxford and is the Principal Tutor for the distance learning course, Christian Rural and Environmental Studies (CRES). \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"x_MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eRev. Margot Hodson\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis Theology and Education Director for the John Ray Initiative (JRI), an organisation connecting Environment, Science, and Christianity. She is also a Vicar in the Oxford Diocese. The Hodsons have published widely together on Christianity and the environment, and have several books including A Christian Guide to Environmental Issues (BRF, second edition).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry Winter 2021. Review by Liz Pacey\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis slim volume lives up to its subtitle and is packed with ‘Biblical inspiration for sustainable living’. A mixture of theological and pastoral themes, the subjects include: biblical guidelines for understanding the environment; Christian reflections on environmental issues; and sharing resources. Less obviously titled, but very intriguing, are the chapters labelled ‘Landscapes of promise’, ‘Storms and fair weather’, and ‘The wisdom of trees’. I found myself absolutely fascinated by the last one. All the reflections inspire us to take better care of God’s wonderful creation. If read as daily notes there are enough for two months, but potential uses extend much further: group studies, quiet days, sermon pointers. There is a useful index of Bible references, and a concise but thorough list of further reading and websites. With resources like these there is really no excuse for Readers to be ignorant of the state of our world. Martin Beek’s beautiful artwork scattered throughout the pages helps make the book one to treasure, and perhaps the thoughtful and energising pastoral gift you were looking for.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Liz Pacey\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProgressive Voices, issue 38, September 2021. Review by Stuart Hannabuss\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMartin and Margot Hodson bring together scientific and theological wisdom to offer 62 biblical reflections. Clearly laid out and accompanied by pictures by Martin Beek, it is an attractive guide for church groups, pastors, and young people.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book celebrates the ‘world charged with the grandeur of God’ (from the poem by Gerard Manley Hopkins). The book alerts and reminds us of the fragility of the natural world and need for stewardship and responsibility.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey divide things into six categories (each made up of passages, commentaries, and prayers, each a double-page opening): Biblical guidelines, sharing resources, trees and weather and landscapes, and rounding up with Christian reflections on environmental issues. There are times when the metaphors are pushed to the limit (the almond tree stays active through time and so should we as we get older; rain falls on the desert, a symbol of hope if you suffer loss; rivers keep moving, so don’t look back with regret).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut most reflections make good sense as environmental theology, and are topical and grounded in good practical sense (like food banks, global debt, hospitality, what churches can do). Throughout quotations from OT and NT are used to make the point. We can trust in God yet we only have ourselves to blame if we don’t step up to the plate. God’s gift of creation is under threat, and Green Reflections is a timely resource offering hope and challenge. ‘This century is going to be tough’, they sign off.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Stuart Hannabuss\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCaversham Bridge, August 2021. Review by Meryl Beek\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot long ago, were you watching the BBC’s Springwatch TV programme? If so, you will have noticed a new feature. For a few moments, instead of the enthusiastic chatter of the presenters, we were asked to join in a ‘Mindful Moment’. This was a quiet time to enjoy a beautiful landscape, an animal at play or perhaps a close up of a bee entering a wild flower. Whatever part of the natural world was used, we were encouraged to feel part of it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen we pick up a new book called ‘Green Reflections’, by Martin and Margot Hodson, we are invited to go one stage further. Here our natural world is linked with biblical interpretation. There are sixty short meditations, accompanied by colourful paintings of the countryside. This book contains something for everybody. Starting with ‘The wisdom of trees’ through to ‘Sharing resources’ and ‘Storms and fair weather’, it ends with ‘Christian reflections on environmental issues.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Hodsons have been busy. A second edition of their book ‘A Christian guide to Environmental Issues’ has also been published this year. It has been fully revised and is absolutely oozing with information. This is presented under eight headings which include biodiversity, climate change, population and energy. It will be invaluable for study group leaders and others.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCaversham Bridge is a church and community newspaper: \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cavershambridge.org\"\u003ewww.cavershambridge.org\u003c\/a\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Kate Lemon: One25\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA lovely small book for the creative amongst you as it offers a host of psalms, prayers and sections from the bible to inspire:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYour own worship\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe worship of others\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChristian events – harvest festival or activities focussed on climate change\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe chapters are short and illustrated by Martin Beck. Altogether a great practical guide to living ethically.\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2021-01-04T16:45:44+00:00","created_at":"2021-01-04T16:27:09+00:00","vendor":"Martin Hodson and Margot Hodson","type":"Paperback","tags":["Apr-21","Devotional","Environmental issues","Gift","Mission"],"price":899,"price_min":899,"price_max":899,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":37913264324799,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800390683","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Green Reflections: Biblical inspiration for sustainable living - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":899,"weight":348,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800390683","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]},{"id":37913264357567,"title":"PDF","option1":"PDF","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800390690","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":28494356938943,"product_id":6241520812223,"position":2,"created_at":"2021-04-23T15:47:04+01:00","updated_at":"2021-04-23T15:47:04+01:00","alt":null,"width":650,"height":650,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/DOWN0683.jpg?v=1619189224","variant_ids":[37913264357567]},"available":true,"name":"Green Reflections: Biblical inspiration for sustainable living - PDF","public_title":"PDF","options":["PDF"],"price":899,"weight":0,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800390683","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":20799693979839,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":650,"width":650,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/DOWN0683.jpg?v=1619189224"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800390683.jpg?v=1619189224","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/DOWN0683.jpg?v=1619189224"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800390683.jpg?v=1619189224","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":15522036547775,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":1000,"width":1000,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800390683.jpg?v=1619189224"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":1000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800390683.jpg?v=1619189224","width":1000},{"alt":null,"id":20799693979839,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":650,"width":650,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/DOWN0683.jpg?v=1619189224"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/DOWN0683.jpg?v=1619189224","width":650}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eHow should we look after the world we inhabit?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMartin and Margot Hodson bring together scientific and theological wisdom to offer 62 reflections inspired by passages from the Bible in a thoughtful exploration that encourages both reflection and response. Themes include The Wisdom of Trees, Landscapes of Promise and Sharing Resources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/MartinandMargotHodsonlatestApril2021_480x480.jpg?v=1676493999\" width=\"252\" height=\"201\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"x_MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDr. Martin Hodson\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis a plant scientist and environmental biologist and has over 100 publications mostly in international science journals. He teaches at both of the universities in Oxford and is the Principal Tutor for the distance learning course, Christian Rural and Environmental Studies (CRES). \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"x_MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eRev. Margot Hodson\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis Theology and Education Director for the John Ray Initiative (JRI), an organisation connecting Environment, Science, and Christianity. She is also a Vicar in the Oxford Diocese. The Hodsons have published widely together on Christianity and the environment, and have several books including A Christian Guide to Environmental Issues (BRF, second edition).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry Winter 2021. Review by Liz Pacey\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis slim volume lives up to its subtitle and is packed with ‘Biblical inspiration for sustainable living’. A mixture of theological and pastoral themes, the subjects include: biblical guidelines for understanding the environment; Christian reflections on environmental issues; and sharing resources. Less obviously titled, but very intriguing, are the chapters labelled ‘Landscapes of promise’, ‘Storms and fair weather’, and ‘The wisdom of trees’. I found myself absolutely fascinated by the last one. All the reflections inspire us to take better care of God’s wonderful creation. If read as daily notes there are enough for two months, but potential uses extend much further: group studies, quiet days, sermon pointers. There is a useful index of Bible references, and a concise but thorough list of further reading and websites. With resources like these there is really no excuse for Readers to be ignorant of the state of our world. Martin Beek’s beautiful artwork scattered throughout the pages helps make the book one to treasure, and perhaps the thoughtful and energising pastoral gift you were looking for.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Liz Pacey\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProgressive Voices, issue 38, September 2021. Review by Stuart Hannabuss\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMartin and Margot Hodson bring together scientific and theological wisdom to offer 62 biblical reflections. Clearly laid out and accompanied by pictures by Martin Beek, it is an attractive guide for church groups, pastors, and young people.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book celebrates the ‘world charged with the grandeur of God’ (from the poem by Gerard Manley Hopkins). The book alerts and reminds us of the fragility of the natural world and need for stewardship and responsibility.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey divide things into six categories (each made up of passages, commentaries, and prayers, each a double-page opening): Biblical guidelines, sharing resources, trees and weather and landscapes, and rounding up with Christian reflections on environmental issues. There are times when the metaphors are pushed to the limit (the almond tree stays active through time and so should we as we get older; rain falls on the desert, a symbol of hope if you suffer loss; rivers keep moving, so don’t look back with regret).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut most reflections make good sense as environmental theology, and are topical and grounded in good practical sense (like food banks, global debt, hospitality, what churches can do). Throughout quotations from OT and NT are used to make the point. We can trust in God yet we only have ourselves to blame if we don’t step up to the plate. God’s gift of creation is under threat, and Green Reflections is a timely resource offering hope and challenge. ‘This century is going to be tough’, they sign off.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Stuart Hannabuss\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCaversham Bridge, August 2021. Review by Meryl Beek\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot long ago, were you watching the BBC’s Springwatch TV programme? If so, you will have noticed a new feature. For a few moments, instead of the enthusiastic chatter of the presenters, we were asked to join in a ‘Mindful Moment’. This was a quiet time to enjoy a beautiful landscape, an animal at play or perhaps a close up of a bee entering a wild flower. Whatever part of the natural world was used, we were encouraged to feel part of it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen we pick up a new book called ‘Green Reflections’, by Martin and Margot Hodson, we are invited to go one stage further. Here our natural world is linked with biblical interpretation. There are sixty short meditations, accompanied by colourful paintings of the countryside. This book contains something for everybody. Starting with ‘The wisdom of trees’ through to ‘Sharing resources’ and ‘Storms and fair weather’, it ends with ‘Christian reflections on environmental issues.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Hodsons have been busy. A second edition of their book ‘A Christian guide to Environmental Issues’ has also been published this year. It has been fully revised and is absolutely oozing with information. This is presented under eight headings which include biodiversity, climate change, population and energy. It will be invaluable for study group leaders and others.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCaversham Bridge is a church and community newspaper: \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cavershambridge.org\"\u003ewww.cavershambridge.org\u003c\/a\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Kate Lemon: One25\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA lovely small book for the creative amongst you as it offers a host of psalms, prayers and sections from the bible to inspire:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYour own worship\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe worship of others\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChristian events – harvest festival or activities focussed on climate change\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe chapters are short and illustrated by Martin Beck. Altogether a great practical guide to living ethically.\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Green Reflections: Biblical inspiration for sustainable living
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How should we look after the world we inhabit? Martin and Margot Hodson bring together scientific and theological wisdom to...
{"id":5785543147672,"title":"A Christian Guide to Environmental Issues","handle":"a-christian-guide-to-environmental-issues","description":"\u003cp\u003eEnvironmental sustainability is a major issue for us all. In this extensively updated edition, Martin and Margot Hodson consider eight of the key current environmental problems, giving the biblical basis for looking after the environment and helping to integrate environmental thinking into the reader’s understanding of Christian faith. This accessible guide includes ethical reflections, Bible studies focusing on a different biblical doctrine for each chapter, and eco-tips to enable practical response. Among the issues covered are climate change, food, biodiversity, and population, together with the relationship between environmental problems and issues relating to world development.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"margin-right: 15px; float: left;\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/MartinandMargotHodsonlatestApril2021_480x480.jpg?v=1676493999\" width=\"186\" height=\"149\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRev. Margot Hodson\u003c\/strong\u003e is Theology and Education Director for the John Ray Initiative (JRI), an organisation connecting Environment, Science, and Christianity. She is also a Vicar in the Oxford Diocese. The Hodsons have published widely together on Christianity and the environment, and have several books including A Christian Guide to Environmental Issues (BRF, second edition).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDr. Martin Hodson\u003c\/strong\u003e is a plant scientist and environmental biologist and has over 100 publications mostly in international science journals. He teaches at both of the universities in Oxford and is the Principal Tutor for the distance learning course, Christian Rural and Environmental Studies (CRES).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003ePraise for A Christian Guide to Environmental Issues\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMartin and Margot Hodson’s deep commitment to the critical issues that their timely book addresses shines through each chapter.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeter Harris, Founder of A Rocha\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book looks straight in the eye of the most serious set of environmental challenges humanity faces. Drawing together in accessible ways scientific evidence, biblical reflection and practical ideas, it will provoke you to better think, act and pray for the renewal of creation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRt Revd Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews \u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScience and Christian Belief. Review by Robert Sluka\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSluka R. 2022 Review of \"Hodson \u0026amp; Hodson - A Christian Guide to Environmental Issues 2nd Edn, BRF\", Science \u0026amp; Christian Belief vol.34(2):145-146. Review reprinted with kind permission.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI first read Martin and Margot’s books while in a youth hostel in Tasmania. Not exactly or even close to being a youth at the time, their writing helped to shape my thoughts on how to integrate Christian faith and conservation. The strength of their work is a deep theological reflection rooted both in practice and academic rigour combined with a commitment to and skill at summarizing and communicating the latest peer-review science and conservation policy. This is the second edition of A Christian Guide to Environmental Issues, which they have fully updated and revised to respond hopefully to our current conservation crises.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMany Christians are more environmentally aware and active in recent times. There are now over 4000 Eco churches in the UK, for example. Yet if you were to ask the average person in the pew about the environment, they would likely struggle to articulate how their faith is relevant to it. Margot and Martin argue that the environment is central to the Christian faith, not peripheral to it. This book also provides a helpful correction to the overwhelming focus, when there is one, of the Christian community on one environmental issue – climate change. Martin and Margot show clearly that there are many threats that while often augmented by climate change, are not currently addressed by most agencies, churches, or individuals and which would not be reduced could we solve our climate issues immediately.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an excellent resource for those who want to better understand both the science and the theology surrounding environmental issues. The book could be approached as a relatively quick read to gain insight into major environmental topics such as biodiversity, climate change, water, energy, soil, and food. Each chapter starts with helpful stories to contextualise and put a personal flavour to the issues from Spain or Portugal where much of this book was written during a sabbatical, giving a common thread throughout. The science is detailed up with more study, but clear and concise enough for a lay person to understand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA Biblical reflection follows which provides insights into key passages that apply to the topic. I will also use this as a resource book when called upon to speak on or address topics covered in the book. A focused bibliography of key creation care books is given in the back. Key websites are listed with summaries, indexes of topics and bible verses increase its utility. A short bible study allows the reader to reflect and develop their own thoughts – with bible study leader’s notes for small groups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdditionally, Martin and Margot produced a series of videos that accompany this book as a series of 10 study sessions or easily cut down to fit a Lent course:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/thebigchurchread.co.uk\/a-christian-guide-to-environmental-%20issues-2\/\"\u003ehttps:\/\/thebigchurchread.co.uk\/a-christian-guide-to-environmental- issues-2\/\u003c\/a\u003e).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe chapter on soil serves as a good example of the value and diversity of this book – not the least that there are so few creation care books that even address soil as an issue. The chapter starts with a personal story from Martin reflecting on his teaching on soils in Oxford. This proceeds to a helpful discourse of what soil is, then adds a global perspective on threats such as erosion, compaction and pollution. An outside perspective is written by a colleague along with another personal story from Martin’s and Margot’s sabbatical in Spain. Margot then provides a reflection on the biblical themes of exile and return and of course, the parable of the sower and the soils. A Rocha UK head of Conservation, Andy Lester, comments on their Partner in Action Programme and Margot and Martin reflect on their experience at one of these partners, Hilfield Friary, showing how the topic of soil is being addressed on the ground with respect to creation care.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach chapter has an eco-tip for the reader to implement – this one focused on gardening and soil as you would expect. A bible study with discussion questions takes readers to Isaiah and Luke and then helpful references are given to pursue deeper knowledge of soils. This chapter caused me to think about the soil in my own garden here in Florida and specifically, how the way I treat it impacts the ecology of this area and my own spiritual life as I interact with it through gardening activities. Each chapter is likewise diverse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is necessarily a summary and thus can’t go into a deep treatment of each topic. The bouncing around of different voices, locations, and switching between faith and science topics might not be palatable for some. The format is set up so that a small group could use it for discussion with or without the accompanying videos. It is a useful resource for church leaders who want to speak on these issues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e This is an important book to continue the hopeful conversation of how we can love God and neighbour (including our non-human neighbours) through caring for God’s world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eRobert Sluka leads A Rocha’s Marine Conservation Programme, working to glorify God through caring for the 71% of the planet that is ocean (www. arocha.org\/marine).\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIrish Methodist Newsletter. Review by Stephen Skuce\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e A standing item on our church council agendas is environmental matters. We know it's part of our Christian responsibility, as individuals and as churches, to care for the environment. We know we are stewards and custodians, not the owners. And we know that in most cases we aren’t doing much more than recycling and trying our best. It's unlikely to happen, but if Greta Thunberg or David Attenborough were to sit in on our council meeting, I doubt if they would be impressed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo, to avoid the avoid the wrath of David and Greta, Martin and Margot Hodson have revised and updated this book to help us better recognise areas of concern and ways in which we can be part of the answer. Ten chapters cover areas such as soil, water, energy, biodiversity, climate change and food, and each chapter concludes with a short Bible study. Therefore, this is an ideal book to use in a home group or church Bible study to help us think through these issues as Christians. And to make it even easier there are supplementary notes at the back for those leading the Bible study, as well as good end notes to each chapter to source the material and point to ways to think even deeper on the issues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen we think about water we know that we aren’t short of the stuff in Ireland, but are at increasing risk of getting too much rain in concentrated bursts while other parts of the world are experiencing longer periods of drought. Fires in California and Australia bring this home to us, as does the burning tundra above the artic circle. I’m writing this in April and Slieve Donard ‘is on fire’. Rather than a moralising tone, the authors share up to date thinking alongside practical Christian responses around the world and bring us hope that we can be part of the renewing of creation. We have a problem but it's also our opportunity to act, and our World Development and Relief colleagues are in partnership with many groups to assist us such as Dabane Water Workshops in Zimbabwe. This is part but not all of our response. ‘The images of water in the Bible remind us of our dependence on the earth and how deeply we are bound together. We understand our place in creation as one of awesome responsibility to lead wisely. One day, that role will be fulfilled. When we lead a redeemed creation as a redeemed people of God’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is an ideal study guide into the issues, helps us wrestle with Scripture and the key issue of our generation. The Hodsons have also published this year \u003cem\u003eGreen Reflections: Biblical Inspiration for Sustainable Living. \u003c\/em\u003eWe are late to recognise our requirement to act. This text will help us and others not be too late, God willing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Revd Dr Stephen Skuce, District Superintendent, the North Western District\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Kate Lemon, One25\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe environment and climate change has been one of the central debates for many years. Many of us are seeking hope for the future and joining those who are trying to reduce waste, act more responsibly towards the environments and show they care for the living world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 2nd edition combined practical theology with the latest science. it is a useful resource for church leaders and group leaders ( e.g. Sunday schools) it covers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBiodiversity\u003cbr\u003eClimate change\u003cbr\u003eHuman population and consumption\u003cbr\u003eWater\/ food\u003cbr\u003eSoil\u003cbr\u003eEnergy \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach chapter offers a bible study section at the end and often an eco-tip as well as biblical reflection.\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2020-09-17T15:46:40+01:00","created_at":"2020-09-17T15:46:39+01:00","vendor":"Martin Hodson and Margot Hodson","type":"Paperback","tags":["Apr-21","Environmental issues","Group reading","Mission"],"price":999,"price_min":999,"price_max":999,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":43664534601919,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800390058","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":23477197832383,"product_id":5785543147672,"position":1,"created_at":"2021-01-19T18:14:31+00:00","updated_at":"2021-04-28T12:09:37+01:00","alt":null,"width":1000,"height":1524,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800390058.jpg?v=1619608177","variant_ids":[43664534601919]},"available":true,"name":"A Christian Guide to Environmental Issues - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":999,"weight":190,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800390058","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":15646869389503,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":1524,"width":1000,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800390058.jpg?v=1619608177"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800390058.jpg?v=1619608177"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800390058.jpg?v=1619608177","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":15646869389503,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":1524,"width":1000,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800390058.jpg?v=1619608177"},"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":1524,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800390058.jpg?v=1619608177","width":1000}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eEnvironmental sustainability is a major issue for us all. In this extensively updated edition, Martin and Margot Hodson consider eight of the key current environmental problems, giving the biblical basis for looking after the environment and helping to integrate environmental thinking into the reader’s understanding of Christian faith. This accessible guide includes ethical reflections, Bible studies focusing on a different biblical doctrine for each chapter, and eco-tips to enable practical response. Among the issues covered are climate change, food, biodiversity, and population, together with the relationship between environmental problems and issues relating to world development.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"margin-right: 15px; float: left;\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/MartinandMargotHodsonlatestApril2021_480x480.jpg?v=1676493999\" width=\"186\" height=\"149\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRev. Margot Hodson\u003c\/strong\u003e is Theology and Education Director for the John Ray Initiative (JRI), an organisation connecting Environment, Science, and Christianity. She is also a Vicar in the Oxford Diocese. The Hodsons have published widely together on Christianity and the environment, and have several books including A Christian Guide to Environmental Issues (BRF, second edition).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDr. Martin Hodson\u003c\/strong\u003e is a plant scientist and environmental biologist and has over 100 publications mostly in international science journals. He teaches at both of the universities in Oxford and is the Principal Tutor for the distance learning course, Christian Rural and Environmental Studies (CRES).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003ePraise for A Christian Guide to Environmental Issues\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMartin and Margot Hodson’s deep commitment to the critical issues that their timely book addresses shines through each chapter.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeter Harris, Founder of A Rocha\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book looks straight in the eye of the most serious set of environmental challenges humanity faces. Drawing together in accessible ways scientific evidence, biblical reflection and practical ideas, it will provoke you to better think, act and pray for the renewal of creation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRt Revd Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews \u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScience and Christian Belief. Review by Robert Sluka\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSluka R. 2022 Review of \"Hodson \u0026amp; Hodson - A Christian Guide to Environmental Issues 2nd Edn, BRF\", Science \u0026amp; Christian Belief vol.34(2):145-146. Review reprinted with kind permission.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI first read Martin and Margot’s books while in a youth hostel in Tasmania. Not exactly or even close to being a youth at the time, their writing helped to shape my thoughts on how to integrate Christian faith and conservation. The strength of their work is a deep theological reflection rooted both in practice and academic rigour combined with a commitment to and skill at summarizing and communicating the latest peer-review science and conservation policy. This is the second edition of A Christian Guide to Environmental Issues, which they have fully updated and revised to respond hopefully to our current conservation crises.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMany Christians are more environmentally aware and active in recent times. There are now over 4000 Eco churches in the UK, for example. Yet if you were to ask the average person in the pew about the environment, they would likely struggle to articulate how their faith is relevant to it. Margot and Martin argue that the environment is central to the Christian faith, not peripheral to it. This book also provides a helpful correction to the overwhelming focus, when there is one, of the Christian community on one environmental issue – climate change. Martin and Margot show clearly that there are many threats that while often augmented by climate change, are not currently addressed by most agencies, churches, or individuals and which would not be reduced could we solve our climate issues immediately.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an excellent resource for those who want to better understand both the science and the theology surrounding environmental issues. The book could be approached as a relatively quick read to gain insight into major environmental topics such as biodiversity, climate change, water, energy, soil, and food. Each chapter starts with helpful stories to contextualise and put a personal flavour to the issues from Spain or Portugal where much of this book was written during a sabbatical, giving a common thread throughout. The science is detailed up with more study, but clear and concise enough for a lay person to understand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA Biblical reflection follows which provides insights into key passages that apply to the topic. I will also use this as a resource book when called upon to speak on or address topics covered in the book. A focused bibliography of key creation care books is given in the back. Key websites are listed with summaries, indexes of topics and bible verses increase its utility. A short bible study allows the reader to reflect and develop their own thoughts – with bible study leader’s notes for small groups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdditionally, Martin and Margot produced a series of videos that accompany this book as a series of 10 study sessions or easily cut down to fit a Lent course:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/thebigchurchread.co.uk\/a-christian-guide-to-environmental-%20issues-2\/\"\u003ehttps:\/\/thebigchurchread.co.uk\/a-christian-guide-to-environmental- issues-2\/\u003c\/a\u003e).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe chapter on soil serves as a good example of the value and diversity of this book – not the least that there are so few creation care books that even address soil as an issue. The chapter starts with a personal story from Martin reflecting on his teaching on soils in Oxford. This proceeds to a helpful discourse of what soil is, then adds a global perspective on threats such as erosion, compaction and pollution. An outside perspective is written by a colleague along with another personal story from Martin’s and Margot’s sabbatical in Spain. Margot then provides a reflection on the biblical themes of exile and return and of course, the parable of the sower and the soils. A Rocha UK head of Conservation, Andy Lester, comments on their Partner in Action Programme and Margot and Martin reflect on their experience at one of these partners, Hilfield Friary, showing how the topic of soil is being addressed on the ground with respect to creation care.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach chapter has an eco-tip for the reader to implement – this one focused on gardening and soil as you would expect. A bible study with discussion questions takes readers to Isaiah and Luke and then helpful references are given to pursue deeper knowledge of soils. This chapter caused me to think about the soil in my own garden here in Florida and specifically, how the way I treat it impacts the ecology of this area and my own spiritual life as I interact with it through gardening activities. Each chapter is likewise diverse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is necessarily a summary and thus can’t go into a deep treatment of each topic. The bouncing around of different voices, locations, and switching between faith and science topics might not be palatable for some. The format is set up so that a small group could use it for discussion with or without the accompanying videos. It is a useful resource for church leaders who want to speak on these issues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e This is an important book to continue the hopeful conversation of how we can love God and neighbour (including our non-human neighbours) through caring for God’s world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eRobert Sluka leads A Rocha’s Marine Conservation Programme, working to glorify God through caring for the 71% of the planet that is ocean (www. arocha.org\/marine).\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIrish Methodist Newsletter. Review by Stephen Skuce\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e A standing item on our church council agendas is environmental matters. We know it's part of our Christian responsibility, as individuals and as churches, to care for the environment. We know we are stewards and custodians, not the owners. And we know that in most cases we aren’t doing much more than recycling and trying our best. It's unlikely to happen, but if Greta Thunberg or David Attenborough were to sit in on our council meeting, I doubt if they would be impressed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo, to avoid the avoid the wrath of David and Greta, Martin and Margot Hodson have revised and updated this book to help us better recognise areas of concern and ways in which we can be part of the answer. Ten chapters cover areas such as soil, water, energy, biodiversity, climate change and food, and each chapter concludes with a short Bible study. Therefore, this is an ideal book to use in a home group or church Bible study to help us think through these issues as Christians. And to make it even easier there are supplementary notes at the back for those leading the Bible study, as well as good end notes to each chapter to source the material and point to ways to think even deeper on the issues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen we think about water we know that we aren’t short of the stuff in Ireland, but are at increasing risk of getting too much rain in concentrated bursts while other parts of the world are experiencing longer periods of drought. Fires in California and Australia bring this home to us, as does the burning tundra above the artic circle. I’m writing this in April and Slieve Donard ‘is on fire’. Rather than a moralising tone, the authors share up to date thinking alongside practical Christian responses around the world and bring us hope that we can be part of the renewing of creation. We have a problem but it's also our opportunity to act, and our World Development and Relief colleagues are in partnership with many groups to assist us such as Dabane Water Workshops in Zimbabwe. This is part but not all of our response. ‘The images of water in the Bible remind us of our dependence on the earth and how deeply we are bound together. We understand our place in creation as one of awesome responsibility to lead wisely. One day, that role will be fulfilled. When we lead a redeemed creation as a redeemed people of God’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is an ideal study guide into the issues, helps us wrestle with Scripture and the key issue of our generation. The Hodsons have also published this year \u003cem\u003eGreen Reflections: Biblical Inspiration for Sustainable Living. \u003c\/em\u003eWe are late to recognise our requirement to act. This text will help us and others not be too late, God willing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Revd Dr Stephen Skuce, District Superintendent, the North Western District\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Kate Lemon, One25\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe environment and climate change has been one of the central debates for many years. Many of us are seeking hope for the future and joining those who are trying to reduce waste, act more responsibly towards the environments and show they care for the living world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 2nd edition combined practical theology with the latest science. it is a useful resource for church leaders and group leaders ( e.g. Sunday schools) it covers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBiodiversity\u003cbr\u003eClimate change\u003cbr\u003eHuman population and consumption\u003cbr\u003eWater\/ food\u003cbr\u003eSoil\u003cbr\u003eEnergy \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach chapter offers a bible study section at the end and often an eco-tip as well as biblical reflection.\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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A Christian Guide to Environmental Issues
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{"id":5785318686872,"title":"The Contemplative Struggle: Radical discipleship in a broken world","handle":"the-contemplative-struggle-radical-discipleship-in-a-broken-world","description":"\u003cp\u003eHow do we embrace and work out our call to be disciples in a broken world? In \u003cem\u003eThe Contemplative Struggle\u003c\/em\u003e Ian Cowley sets the central themes of the gospel of John alongside each other – abiding in Christ, conflict, light and darkness, obedience, loving one another – and explores how these can be reconciled in daily life. Drawing on his experience of living in his native South Africa during the apartheid era and challenging understandings of contemplative prayer and spirituality as essentially inward-looking, he highlights the urgent need for Christians to be active in bringing transformation to a suffering world and paints a compelling picture of radical discipleship for today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Just as we are all meant to be contemplatives and to hear the voice of God in our lives, we are all meant to answer God’s call to be his partners in transfiguring the world. This calling, this encounter with God, is always to send us into the midst of human suffering.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArchbishop Desmond Tutu\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIan Cowley is an Anglican priest who has served in parish ministry in South Africa, Sheffield, Cambridge and Peterborough. From 2008 to 2016 he was Coordinator of Spirituality and Vocations in the Diocese of Salisbury, where he set up and developed the Contemplative Minister programme. He is the author of five books on spirituality, discipleship and the local church.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere is a much-needed book: the story of the battle against racism, injustice, poverty, held in tension with the necessity of time for contemplation. We need to hear it – there is much here that applies to our world today.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEsther de Waal, writer and scholar\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI do appreciate Ian Cowley’s interleaving of storytelling with spiritual reflection. It is good to have the story of UCM told to a wider audience than South Africa.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIan’s tribute to Steve Biko is welcome and true, and so is his account of white students’ struggle on the matter of conscription.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis major concern with contemplation fits well into his account of this crucial time in the South African church struggle... \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJohn D Davies, former bishop of Shrewsbury and one-time national chaplain of the Anglican Students’ Federation of South Africa\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat an incredible book this is! I was deeply moved reading it. It is very inspiring and ignited a hope that we can be agents of change in this world. As someone who has known the value of contemplative prayer and practice in my own life, it felt like a gentle call back to that which I know and love, without being remotely judgemental. In fact, the whole book brings a wonderful balance of challenge without condemnation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI pray that all who read this book will examine afresh their response to the issues raised and explore the riches of contemplative prayer for themselves.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLouise Rose, community projects manager, Fresh Hope Ministry, Stamford\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Contemplative Struggle\u003c\/em\u003e is a generous gift and a profound challenge. Ian Cowley draws on a deep well of (sometimes painful) personal experience to pour out this vision of contemplation in action. If you’re tired of rootless activism and otherworldly spirituality, and you’re looking for the common ground where prayer and protest can flourish, you need to read this book.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChris Webb, deputy warden of Launde Abbey and author of \u003cem\u003eGod Soaked Life\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry Winter 2021. Review by Margaret Ives\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are many books about contemplative prayer as a way of finding one’s true self in an experience of the Divine Presence. This book is unusual in that, while it proclaims that the constant awareness of God in our lives is essential, this is not sufficient to solve our current problems unless it inspires us to ‘radical discipleship in a broken world’. Growing up in South Africa during apartheid, Cowley came to realise that ‘being rooted and grounded in love’ is not a hidden treasure, but must be demonstrated in action against racism and injustice. Looking back, he remembers how hope in God, arising from contemplative prayer, enabled him to work alongside the black consciousness movement in their struggle to change the system, even though the odds were against them. Similarly, he believes, Christians today must use a heightened awareness of God’s love for everything in creation to join with those combating climate change and environmental disaster. This is an inspirational book which does not get bogged down in polemics, but offers a guide to contemplative prayer and some practical steps we can all take towards saving the planet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Margaret Ives\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Merton Journal Advent 2021 (Volume 28 no 2). Review by Ben Hopkinson\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHow ephemeral, and how localised, is our consciousness of history. That is why there have to be historians and history departments, because, so easily, what we know of the horrors some people are living through either goes quickly to the back of the mind or, by the next generation, becomes an unknown. Our attitude of localisation means that what happens to others may seem to have nothing to do with us. So Jewish people, for instance, have to campaign to keep the memory of the holocaust alive, and, while there may be an especially tense rivalry in games of football between England and Germany, how many remember what fascism really meant as a threat to the world? And Tiananmen Square?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI say this because Ian Cowley's short but powerful book finds the\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eorigins of what was, to him, the revelation of prayer as contemplation, in the racial cauldron of South Africa in the depths of the apartheid regime of the last century.1 His epiphany came through the University Christian Movement when he was a student at the University of Natal in Pietermaritzberg in the 1970s. There he came to understand the terrible sinfulness of the racial divide that ruled South Africa, and his life's course was changed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor me, Cowley's vivid account of South African life was a revision lesson. I was serving in Botswana at that time and, although it was a country with a quite different ethos, we in the Church were not isolated and were very aware of what was going on with our neighbours, not only South Africa but Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) as well. I became peripherally involved in some anti-apartheid activity that crossed the border and drew me in, so I relate to Cowley's descriptions. I knew some of the people he talks about, and reading his book I was taken back to a time which, while key in my life, has been overlaid by layers of subsequent life and work. Even experience has an ephemeral quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHence the thoughts about the ephemeral quality of contemporary\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ehistory. Who remembers even the word apartheid now, other than in an intellectual sense, apart from those who suffered it? The question applies even more strongly to those who are not South Africans. While there were, in Britain, some noble anti-apartheid activists who helped to cause profound change, their activity was outside the main stream of life and often looked upon with suspicion. Most people got on with life without worrying about South Africa. Now, bar Covid, that country is a favourite of tourists, who return to Europe unbrushed by a history that was all consuming at the time and still has many offshoots. Most were unborn when apartheid reigned.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI have to ask, then, whether for Cowley to use his South African life as a base for his argument is too esoteric. I hope not and I am sure it need not be, for not only does it gain great strength from being so personal, but it also makes us think into situations beyond our own circles. To think ourselves into apartheid South Africa is a good exercise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'There were giants on the earth in those days' is a quotation which comes to mind.2 South Africa was then, and still is, an extraordinary country, captivating, in the sense of drawing you in until you are engrossed. It is a land of wonderful beauty but what astounded me even more were the people one met. The mass of the people are a very interesting historical and anthropological mix, with their histories, cultures and divisions, but I will concentrate on two smaller sets: those implementing the apartheid policy and those who opposed them, struggling for what was later called, by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a \u003cstrong\u003e'rainbow nation'.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first thing to say is that these people were honed by apartheid. The giant of apartheid was Hendrick Vervoerd, the SA president who was assassinated in 1966. He gave the philosophical basis to the National Party's policy of racial separation and white dominance, which was implemented ruthlessly. It was a giant endeavour, and the skills developed by the Bureau of State Security (BOSS) were second to none. Their use of technology was as sophisticated as possible for that time, and their information gathering work was everywhere. Furthermore, they knew what was going on elsewhere in the world, and could use it very cleverly in persuading people to conform.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe resistors were also people of exceptional knowledge, understanding and courage. There are great names: Nelson Mandela, Albert Luthuli, Helen Suzman, the Black Sash leaders, Beyers Naude, Trevor Huddlestone, Desmond Tutu, Steve Biko, to name but a few. But there were many, many more who worked and witnessed at continual \u003cspan\u003erisk to themselves, both from BOSS and also from being denigrated by the mass of whites happy with apartheid. Organisations like the University Christian Movement (UCM) were banned and many people had their passports removed or were put under house arrest. I felt both very \u003c\/span\u003efortunate and also hugely humbled to meet some of these women and men. I did not meet Ian Cowley, but I am confident that he would be of these giants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the most noticeable aspects of the struggle against apartheid and for justice was how it had such a strong Christian motivation. I have to be careful here, because Christianity was active on both sides. The Afrikaner Dutch Reformed Church played a significant part in giving theological justification to apartheid, yet there were some notable DRC giants, the Bonhoeffers of their day, who rebelled against this, and were thrown out of the church. They played a great part. Nevertheless, it was very much among people from other churches that the understanding grew that the Christian law of love meant equality applied universally.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCowley grew up on a Natal farm, with church, Anglican and formal, on Sundays, remembered as very boring. It was at university that faith caught him through the remarkable, if short lived, UCM. He describes how vibrant student worship attracted him and how he worked through the trauma - for it was a trauma - of mixing with people of other races and finding them human. After some vicissitudes, he hears his vocation to the priesthood in the Anglican Church of the Province of South Africa and eventually he comes to England, where he is first a parish priest and then Coordinator of Vocations and Spirituality in the Diocese of Salisbury, where he set up the Contemplative Minister Programme.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe great question that runs through the book is: what does it mean to be held firm in Christ in the centre of our being and to live with integrity in the 21st century? Through his student days he comes to see the sinfulness of the way power is held and exercised in South Africa, and to long for the justice that he discovers through his Christian faith. How does he hold the two in balance, so that the one undergirds the other? In other words, there is a double question: on the one hand, how can you be an activist, mixing in the hurly, sometimes unsavoury, burly of life and be true to Christ? On the other, how can you be true to Christ without, in some way, being mixed up in the difficult life of practising the love of neighbour in all its roughness? Through friends and mentors and the trial and error of trying to live a life for justice, with mistakes and setbacks and leaps forward, he discovers prayer as God's invitation to see the world with His eyes and to feel it as He feels it. He reads Merton and his development from longing to be solitary to understanding that the world needs the witness of the contemplative if it is ever going to overcome evil with good, and that means that the contemplative has to know and be known.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNow in South Africa the struggle against apartheid is over and an enormous wickedness has been demolished. In fact, though, when one injustice is stricken, the hydra of evil raises another. A strength of Cowley's book is that it is not only a memoir but makes use of his experience to show how Christian love is showing up many other aspects of life on the planet which threaten true human living, that is living as the \u003cspan\u003epeople of God. As we are drawn in to the presence of God, how do we live with the divide of rich and poor and with other forms of inequality; with climate change; with war, national ambition and xenophobia; with the continuing oppression of peoples in many parts of the world; with homelessness in our own country? The list goes on and on. Simply, how do we help to make the world more Godly, restoring the creation which \u003c\/span\u003eHe saw was good?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eContemplative prayer is not shown as an opt-out but as the source of strength and ability. It is a struggle because of our fallen human nature, which is continually being pressed to sway one way or another. A hard struggle, but contemplation shows us how to 'put on the whole armour of God, for our struggle is not against the enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly places.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Contemplative Struggle \u003c\/em\u003eis written to encourage us workaday Christians as we try to follow Jesus in our daily lives. In this it certainly succeeds, and the author adds an excellent introduction to contemplative practice as an appendix.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo years ago I reviewed Ian Cowley's previous book, \u003cem\u003eThe \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eContemplative Response: Leadership and Ministry in a Distracted Culture. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eI suggested that it needed another volume, looking at how we can bring understanding of the love of God to the world outside the Christian community. In many ways this book does this, but may I ask Ian to set fingers to word processor once more and tackle the question of the contemplative response to the problems posed by today's atheists. When we talk of God in a universe of which astrophysics has revolutionised our understanding, how is He showing us how to talk of Him and act as His people? I find this an urgent question to stir the hearts of many. To ask an author for another book is, surely, a compliment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNotes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1. Apartheid was the policy of segregation and political, social, and economic\u003cbr\u003ediscrimination against the non-white majority in the Republic of South\u003cbr\u003eAfrica. The extreme racial segregation of apartheid lasted from 1948 to 1994 and included such restrictions as where people of certain races could live or own land, what jobs they could hold, and who could and couldn't participate \u003cstrong\u003ein government.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2. Genesis 6:4\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3. Ephesians 6 :11-12.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBen Hopkinson \u003c\/strong\u003eis a priest, living in retirement in Northumberland. He was in the kindergarten of contemplation in 2019 and has still to enter the reception class.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 25.06.21. Review by John D. Davies\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIan Cowley is a white South African man, born nearly 70 years ago, brought up in the benign rural environment of Natal. If he had fulfilled expectations, he would have become a conventional Anglican gentleman, a superior English-speaking member of the white race.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e But Cowley’s life took a somewhat different course. His book is primarily about spirituality; but, to convey his message, he has to tell something of his life-story. This starts with his entry into the University of Natal in Pietermaritzburg, to study law and business administration. By the time that he started at university, the 1959 Extension of University Education Act had taken effect.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis created a scattered establishment of black tribal colleges, segregated on racial and ethnic criteria. The previously ‘open’ universities, in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Natal, were restricted to white students only; they became white tribal colleges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut there were vigorous national student bodies; these functioned on these segregated campuses, but they flourished as racially integrated organisations at regional and national level. For both black and white students, their conferences provided a converting experience, an alternative vision of society, where black and white people could meet as genuine friends and not only on a master\/servant basis; and this was at a time when the apartheid machine was grinding ever more successfully, and when hope for change was wearing very thin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe integrated organisations enabled the generation of courageous, independent-minded students, who were prepared to defy the expectations of parents, teachers, and government. They included the Anglican Students’ Federation and the ecumenical University Christian Movement. For Cowley, they opened up a whole new world. They brought him into contact with impressive characters of all race-groups, people such as the dynamic black students’ leader Steve Biko (who would, in my view, have become the natural successor to President Mandela, if he had not been cruelly done to death by the Security Police).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese ecumenical organisations were viewed with suspicion by some other Christians, notably by Evangelicals who had been caught up in the newly arrived Charismatic Movement. For them, the ecumenical groups were unbiblical humanists, dangerous quasi-Marxists. For the ecumenical types, the Evangelicals were pietistic, concerned only with their individual salvation, indifferent to the injustices experienced by most of the population. But, for those who were impressed by the Black Consciousness influence, this hassle was merely white people’s games, irrelevant luxury. The Anglican Bishop Alphaeus Zulu summarised their position: ‘We Africans have no need of a Charismatic Movement — we have always been charismatic, without any pressure from outside.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeople like Cowley were attracted by the Evangelical emphasis on conversion, but it had to include conversion from the heresies and illusions of apartheid, which were otherwise winning all the battles. A new ingredient was being discovered in the Christian mix. This was where Cowley found himself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCowley was deeply drawn to the insights of medieval spiritual teachers such as Richard Rolle and Thomas à Kempis, and Thomas Merton of our own day. This is the kind of commitment which underlies his book. Readers who are interested in spirituality will be attracted by his excellent summary of the discipline of contemplation. But, to get there, they will need to work through Cowley’s exploration of the demonic powers of racism, financial injustice, and indifference to the degradation of the environment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis spirituality has been formed in a situation of loss, of oppression, of cruelty, when all the signs were that the powers of evil were winning. His kind of contemplation draws us to awareness of God’s critique of the disobedience in our human systems, and into commitment to the struggle for the realisation of God’s Kingdom. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd this is not only for South Africa; Cowley was ordained priest in his native land and served in parish ministry there. But he came to England some years ago, and has been a parish priest and adviser in spirituality in English dioceses. For South Africa and for Britain, his book provides a well-formed and personally validated guidance concerning the claims of our Creator upon our obedience and our energies. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Rt Revd John D. Davies was National Chaplain to the Anglican Students’ Federation of Southern Africa, and Convener of the Council of Churches’ Commission which created the University Christian Movement\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Nicholas King SJ\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eChristians are often charged with being of 'no earthly use' (because their gaze is fixed on the heavens); evangelicals find themselves accused of giving insufficient time to contemplative prayer; white Christian South Africans often have it alleged against them that their discipleship is pure self-indulgence, because they benefited so largely from the sin of apartheid; and that the Roman Catholic tradition has nothing to offer Christians today. In this splendid book, those four myths are soundly 'busted': Ian Cowley is an evangelical Christian who has given himself to transform this unjust world into something that looks like the Kingdom of God; he has for many years as a busy Anglican priest given himself over to the practice of solitary contemplative prayer (and offers some useful tips about how to approach it). More than that, he is a white South African whose Christianity drove him, at some considerable cost, to engage in student activism against the apartheid regime, and who reveals his immense admiration for Steve Biko, who died that appalling death in the hands of the SA Police. He has, moreover, drunk gratefully of the waters of the Roman Catholic contemplative tradition, including Thomas a Kempis, Richard Rolle, and that remarkable Cistercian monk, Thomas Merton. He has, besides, the Protestant gift of a solid grasp of Scripture and the awareness that it can change your life. He was also alert to the dangers of environmental pollution at a time when such interests were dismissed as mindlessly sentimental “tree-hugging”. Nowadays we wish that more students had followed his example, half a century ago. This book is to be warmly recommended.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2020-09-17T14:48:53+01:00","created_at":"2020-09-17T14:48:51+01:00","vendor":"Ian Cowley","type":"Paperback","tags":["Discipleship","Leadership","Mar-21","Mission"],"price":899,"price_min":899,"price_max":899,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":36353659338904,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857469823","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"The Contemplative Struggle: Radical discipleship in a broken world","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":899,"weight":163,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857469823","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857469823.jpg?v=1600350533","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857469823-bc.jpg?v=1600350533"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857469823.jpg?v=1600350533","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":11679577145496,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":1524,"width":1000,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857469823.jpg?v=1600350533"},"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":1524,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857469823.jpg?v=1600350533","width":1000},{"alt":null,"id":11679577211032,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":1524,"width":1000,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857469823-bc.jpg?v=1600350533"},"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":1524,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857469823-bc.jpg?v=1600350533","width":1000}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eHow do we embrace and work out our call to be disciples in a broken world? In \u003cem\u003eThe Contemplative Struggle\u003c\/em\u003e Ian Cowley sets the central themes of the gospel of John alongside each other – abiding in Christ, conflict, light and darkness, obedience, loving one another – and explores how these can be reconciled in daily life. Drawing on his experience of living in his native South Africa during the apartheid era and challenging understandings of contemplative prayer and spirituality as essentially inward-looking, he highlights the urgent need for Christians to be active in bringing transformation to a suffering world and paints a compelling picture of radical discipleship for today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Just as we are all meant to be contemplatives and to hear the voice of God in our lives, we are all meant to answer God’s call to be his partners in transfiguring the world. This calling, this encounter with God, is always to send us into the midst of human suffering.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArchbishop Desmond Tutu\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIan Cowley is an Anglican priest who has served in parish ministry in South Africa, Sheffield, Cambridge and Peterborough. From 2008 to 2016 he was Coordinator of Spirituality and Vocations in the Diocese of Salisbury, where he set up and developed the Contemplative Minister programme. He is the author of five books on spirituality, discipleship and the local church.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere is a much-needed book: the story of the battle against racism, injustice, poverty, held in tension with the necessity of time for contemplation. We need to hear it – there is much here that applies to our world today.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEsther de Waal, writer and scholar\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI do appreciate Ian Cowley’s interleaving of storytelling with spiritual reflection. It is good to have the story of UCM told to a wider audience than South Africa.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIan’s tribute to Steve Biko is welcome and true, and so is his account of white students’ struggle on the matter of conscription.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis major concern with contemplation fits well into his account of this crucial time in the South African church struggle... \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJohn D Davies, former bishop of Shrewsbury and one-time national chaplain of the Anglican Students’ Federation of South Africa\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat an incredible book this is! I was deeply moved reading it. It is very inspiring and ignited a hope that we can be agents of change in this world. As someone who has known the value of contemplative prayer and practice in my own life, it felt like a gentle call back to that which I know and love, without being remotely judgemental. In fact, the whole book brings a wonderful balance of challenge without condemnation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI pray that all who read this book will examine afresh their response to the issues raised and explore the riches of contemplative prayer for themselves.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLouise Rose, community projects manager, Fresh Hope Ministry, Stamford\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Contemplative Struggle\u003c\/em\u003e is a generous gift and a profound challenge. Ian Cowley draws on a deep well of (sometimes painful) personal experience to pour out this vision of contemplation in action. If you’re tired of rootless activism and otherworldly spirituality, and you’re looking for the common ground where prayer and protest can flourish, you need to read this book.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChris Webb, deputy warden of Launde Abbey and author of \u003cem\u003eGod Soaked Life\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry Winter 2021. Review by Margaret Ives\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are many books about contemplative prayer as a way of finding one’s true self in an experience of the Divine Presence. This book is unusual in that, while it proclaims that the constant awareness of God in our lives is essential, this is not sufficient to solve our current problems unless it inspires us to ‘radical discipleship in a broken world’. Growing up in South Africa during apartheid, Cowley came to realise that ‘being rooted and grounded in love’ is not a hidden treasure, but must be demonstrated in action against racism and injustice. Looking back, he remembers how hope in God, arising from contemplative prayer, enabled him to work alongside the black consciousness movement in their struggle to change the system, even though the odds were against them. Similarly, he believes, Christians today must use a heightened awareness of God’s love for everything in creation to join with those combating climate change and environmental disaster. This is an inspirational book which does not get bogged down in polemics, but offers a guide to contemplative prayer and some practical steps we can all take towards saving the planet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Margaret Ives\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Merton Journal Advent 2021 (Volume 28 no 2). Review by Ben Hopkinson\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHow ephemeral, and how localised, is our consciousness of history. That is why there have to be historians and history departments, because, so easily, what we know of the horrors some people are living through either goes quickly to the back of the mind or, by the next generation, becomes an unknown. Our attitude of localisation means that what happens to others may seem to have nothing to do with us. So Jewish people, for instance, have to campaign to keep the memory of the holocaust alive, and, while there may be an especially tense rivalry in games of football between England and Germany, how many remember what fascism really meant as a threat to the world? And Tiananmen Square?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI say this because Ian Cowley's short but powerful book finds the\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eorigins of what was, to him, the revelation of prayer as contemplation, in the racial cauldron of South Africa in the depths of the apartheid regime of the last century.1 His epiphany came through the University Christian Movement when he was a student at the University of Natal in Pietermaritzberg in the 1970s. There he came to understand the terrible sinfulness of the racial divide that ruled South Africa, and his life's course was changed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor me, Cowley's vivid account of South African life was a revision lesson. I was serving in Botswana at that time and, although it was a country with a quite different ethos, we in the Church were not isolated and were very aware of what was going on with our neighbours, not only South Africa but Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) as well. I became peripherally involved in some anti-apartheid activity that crossed the border and drew me in, so I relate to Cowley's descriptions. I knew some of the people he talks about, and reading his book I was taken back to a time which, while key in my life, has been overlaid by layers of subsequent life and work. Even experience has an ephemeral quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHence the thoughts about the ephemeral quality of contemporary\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ehistory. Who remembers even the word apartheid now, other than in an intellectual sense, apart from those who suffered it? The question applies even more strongly to those who are not South Africans. While there were, in Britain, some noble anti-apartheid activists who helped to cause profound change, their activity was outside the main stream of life and often looked upon with suspicion. Most people got on with life without worrying about South Africa. Now, bar Covid, that country is a favourite of tourists, who return to Europe unbrushed by a history that was all consuming at the time and still has many offshoots. Most were unborn when apartheid reigned.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI have to ask, then, whether for Cowley to use his South African life as a base for his argument is too esoteric. I hope not and I am sure it need not be, for not only does it gain great strength from being so personal, but it also makes us think into situations beyond our own circles. To think ourselves into apartheid South Africa is a good exercise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'There were giants on the earth in those days' is a quotation which comes to mind.2 South Africa was then, and still is, an extraordinary country, captivating, in the sense of drawing you in until you are engrossed. It is a land of wonderful beauty but what astounded me even more were the people one met. The mass of the people are a very interesting historical and anthropological mix, with their histories, cultures and divisions, but I will concentrate on two smaller sets: those implementing the apartheid policy and those who opposed them, struggling for what was later called, by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a \u003cstrong\u003e'rainbow nation'.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first thing to say is that these people were honed by apartheid. The giant of apartheid was Hendrick Vervoerd, the SA president who was assassinated in 1966. He gave the philosophical basis to the National Party's policy of racial separation and white dominance, which was implemented ruthlessly. It was a giant endeavour, and the skills developed by the Bureau of State Security (BOSS) were second to none. Their use of technology was as sophisticated as possible for that time, and their information gathering work was everywhere. Furthermore, they knew what was going on elsewhere in the world, and could use it very cleverly in persuading people to conform.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe resistors were also people of exceptional knowledge, understanding and courage. There are great names: Nelson Mandela, Albert Luthuli, Helen Suzman, the Black Sash leaders, Beyers Naude, Trevor Huddlestone, Desmond Tutu, Steve Biko, to name but a few. But there were many, many more who worked and witnessed at continual \u003cspan\u003erisk to themselves, both from BOSS and also from being denigrated by the mass of whites happy with apartheid. Organisations like the University Christian Movement (UCM) were banned and many people had their passports removed or were put under house arrest. I felt both very \u003c\/span\u003efortunate and also hugely humbled to meet some of these women and men. I did not meet Ian Cowley, but I am confident that he would be of these giants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the most noticeable aspects of the struggle against apartheid and for justice was how it had such a strong Christian motivation. I have to be careful here, because Christianity was active on both sides. The Afrikaner Dutch Reformed Church played a significant part in giving theological justification to apartheid, yet there were some notable DRC giants, the Bonhoeffers of their day, who rebelled against this, and were thrown out of the church. They played a great part. Nevertheless, it was very much among people from other churches that the understanding grew that the Christian law of love meant equality applied universally.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCowley grew up on a Natal farm, with church, Anglican and formal, on Sundays, remembered as very boring. It was at university that faith caught him through the remarkable, if short lived, UCM. He describes how vibrant student worship attracted him and how he worked through the trauma - for it was a trauma - of mixing with people of other races and finding them human. After some vicissitudes, he hears his vocation to the priesthood in the Anglican Church of the Province of South Africa and eventually he comes to England, where he is first a parish priest and then Coordinator of Vocations and Spirituality in the Diocese of Salisbury, where he set up the Contemplative Minister Programme.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe great question that runs through the book is: what does it mean to be held firm in Christ in the centre of our being and to live with integrity in the 21st century? Through his student days he comes to see the sinfulness of the way power is held and exercised in South Africa, and to long for the justice that he discovers through his Christian faith. How does he hold the two in balance, so that the one undergirds the other? In other words, there is a double question: on the one hand, how can you be an activist, mixing in the hurly, sometimes unsavoury, burly of life and be true to Christ? On the other, how can you be true to Christ without, in some way, being mixed up in the difficult life of practising the love of neighbour in all its roughness? Through friends and mentors and the trial and error of trying to live a life for justice, with mistakes and setbacks and leaps forward, he discovers prayer as God's invitation to see the world with His eyes and to feel it as He feels it. He reads Merton and his development from longing to be solitary to understanding that the world needs the witness of the contemplative if it is ever going to overcome evil with good, and that means that the contemplative has to know and be known.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNow in South Africa the struggle against apartheid is over and an enormous wickedness has been demolished. In fact, though, when one injustice is stricken, the hydra of evil raises another. A strength of Cowley's book is that it is not only a memoir but makes use of his experience to show how Christian love is showing up many other aspects of life on the planet which threaten true human living, that is living as the \u003cspan\u003epeople of God. As we are drawn in to the presence of God, how do we live with the divide of rich and poor and with other forms of inequality; with climate change; with war, national ambition and xenophobia; with the continuing oppression of peoples in many parts of the world; with homelessness in our own country? The list goes on and on. Simply, how do we help to make the world more Godly, restoring the creation which \u003c\/span\u003eHe saw was good?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eContemplative prayer is not shown as an opt-out but as the source of strength and ability. It is a struggle because of our fallen human nature, which is continually being pressed to sway one way or another. A hard struggle, but contemplation shows us how to 'put on the whole armour of God, for our struggle is not against the enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly places.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Contemplative Struggle \u003c\/em\u003eis written to encourage us workaday Christians as we try to follow Jesus in our daily lives. In this it certainly succeeds, and the author adds an excellent introduction to contemplative practice as an appendix.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo years ago I reviewed Ian Cowley's previous book, \u003cem\u003eThe \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eContemplative Response: Leadership and Ministry in a Distracted Culture. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eI suggested that it needed another volume, looking at how we can bring understanding of the love of God to the world outside the Christian community. In many ways this book does this, but may I ask Ian to set fingers to word processor once more and tackle the question of the contemplative response to the problems posed by today's atheists. When we talk of God in a universe of which astrophysics has revolutionised our understanding, how is He showing us how to talk of Him and act as His people? I find this an urgent question to stir the hearts of many. To ask an author for another book is, surely, a compliment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNotes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1. Apartheid was the policy of segregation and political, social, and economic\u003cbr\u003ediscrimination against the non-white majority in the Republic of South\u003cbr\u003eAfrica. The extreme racial segregation of apartheid lasted from 1948 to 1994 and included such restrictions as where people of certain races could live or own land, what jobs they could hold, and who could and couldn't participate \u003cstrong\u003ein government.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2. Genesis 6:4\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3. Ephesians 6 :11-12.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBen Hopkinson \u003c\/strong\u003eis a priest, living in retirement in Northumberland. He was in the kindergarten of contemplation in 2019 and has still to enter the reception class.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 25.06.21. Review by John D. Davies\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIan Cowley is a white South African man, born nearly 70 years ago, brought up in the benign rural environment of Natal. If he had fulfilled expectations, he would have become a conventional Anglican gentleman, a superior English-speaking member of the white race.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e But Cowley’s life took a somewhat different course. His book is primarily about spirituality; but, to convey his message, he has to tell something of his life-story. This starts with his entry into the University of Natal in Pietermaritzburg, to study law and business administration. By the time that he started at university, the 1959 Extension of University Education Act had taken effect.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis created a scattered establishment of black tribal colleges, segregated on racial and ethnic criteria. The previously ‘open’ universities, in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Natal, were restricted to white students only; they became white tribal colleges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut there were vigorous national student bodies; these functioned on these segregated campuses, but they flourished as racially integrated organisations at regional and national level. For both black and white students, their conferences provided a converting experience, an alternative vision of society, where black and white people could meet as genuine friends and not only on a master\/servant basis; and this was at a time when the apartheid machine was grinding ever more successfully, and when hope for change was wearing very thin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe integrated organisations enabled the generation of courageous, independent-minded students, who were prepared to defy the expectations of parents, teachers, and government. They included the Anglican Students’ Federation and the ecumenical University Christian Movement. For Cowley, they opened up a whole new world. They brought him into contact with impressive characters of all race-groups, people such as the dynamic black students’ leader Steve Biko (who would, in my view, have become the natural successor to President Mandela, if he had not been cruelly done to death by the Security Police).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese ecumenical organisations were viewed with suspicion by some other Christians, notably by Evangelicals who had been caught up in the newly arrived Charismatic Movement. For them, the ecumenical groups were unbiblical humanists, dangerous quasi-Marxists. For the ecumenical types, the Evangelicals were pietistic, concerned only with their individual salvation, indifferent to the injustices experienced by most of the population. But, for those who were impressed by the Black Consciousness influence, this hassle was merely white people’s games, irrelevant luxury. The Anglican Bishop Alphaeus Zulu summarised their position: ‘We Africans have no need of a Charismatic Movement — we have always been charismatic, without any pressure from outside.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeople like Cowley were attracted by the Evangelical emphasis on conversion, but it had to include conversion from the heresies and illusions of apartheid, which were otherwise winning all the battles. A new ingredient was being discovered in the Christian mix. This was where Cowley found himself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCowley was deeply drawn to the insights of medieval spiritual teachers such as Richard Rolle and Thomas à Kempis, and Thomas Merton of our own day. This is the kind of commitment which underlies his book. Readers who are interested in spirituality will be attracted by his excellent summary of the discipline of contemplation. But, to get there, they will need to work through Cowley’s exploration of the demonic powers of racism, financial injustice, and indifference to the degradation of the environment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis spirituality has been formed in a situation of loss, of oppression, of cruelty, when all the signs were that the powers of evil were winning. His kind of contemplation draws us to awareness of God’s critique of the disobedience in our human systems, and into commitment to the struggle for the realisation of God’s Kingdom. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd this is not only for South Africa; Cowley was ordained priest in his native land and served in parish ministry there. But he came to England some years ago, and has been a parish priest and adviser in spirituality in English dioceses. For South Africa and for Britain, his book provides a well-formed and personally validated guidance concerning the claims of our Creator upon our obedience and our energies. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Rt Revd John D. Davies was National Chaplain to the Anglican Students’ Federation of Southern Africa, and Convener of the Council of Churches’ Commission which created the University Christian Movement\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Nicholas King SJ\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eChristians are often charged with being of 'no earthly use' (because their gaze is fixed on the heavens); evangelicals find themselves accused of giving insufficient time to contemplative prayer; white Christian South Africans often have it alleged against them that their discipleship is pure self-indulgence, because they benefited so largely from the sin of apartheid; and that the Roman Catholic tradition has nothing to offer Christians today. In this splendid book, those four myths are soundly 'busted': Ian Cowley is an evangelical Christian who has given himself to transform this unjust world into something that looks like the Kingdom of God; he has for many years as a busy Anglican priest given himself over to the practice of solitary contemplative prayer (and offers some useful tips about how to approach it). More than that, he is a white South African whose Christianity drove him, at some considerable cost, to engage in student activism against the apartheid regime, and who reveals his immense admiration for Steve Biko, who died that appalling death in the hands of the SA Police. He has, moreover, drunk gratefully of the waters of the Roman Catholic contemplative tradition, including Thomas a Kempis, Richard Rolle, and that remarkable Cistercian monk, Thomas Merton. He has, besides, the Protestant gift of a solid grasp of Scripture and the awareness that it can change your life. He was also alert to the dangers of environmental pollution at a time when such interests were dismissed as mindlessly sentimental “tree-hugging”. Nowadays we wish that more students had followed his example, half a century ago. This book is to be warmly recommended.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e"}
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{"id":2439839481956,"title":"The Word's Out: Principles and strategies for effective evangelism today","handle":"the-words-out-principles-and-strategies-for-effective-evangelism-today","description":"\u003cp\u003eAt a time of declining church attendance, this book challenges us to understand that evangelism is more important than ever. The problem is that churches and their leaders often struggle with the idea and concepts around evangelism, unsure of what might be theologically or culturally appropriate ways to communicate the message.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book aims to supply principles and strategies for evangelism that are theologically rooted, practical and relevant to the 21st century. It shows how Jesus and the early church did evangelism and what we can learn from them for our situations. There is lots of practical help from two experienced practitioners to develop an evangelistic strategy for your church. It will also encourage leaders at every level of the church to be leaders and enablers in evangelism. The approach is theologically rigorous and powerfully practical, with the focus on redefining a genuine biblical evangelism. It will help you put foundations in place for developing a sustainable strategy in your church so that you can connect not just with those on the fringes but with those who are way outside.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/hMRfuxfMzqc\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" frameborder=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a fantastic resource, packed with theology, wisdom and practical action about how we can help more people discover the fantastic good news of the gospel. I commend it with enthusiasm.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eMark Russell, Chief Executive, Church Army\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is a treasure store for church leaders who yearn to see the gospel reach our land anew, giving rich biblically rooted guidance on what sort of evangelism is appropriate for our age.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Rt Revd Dr John Inge, Bishop of Worcester and Chair of the College of Evangelists\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvangelism is one of those words that seem to have become one of those embarrassing topics of conversations in recent times. I am delighted that Dave Male and Paul Weston have taken the opportunity to challenge the perceptions about evangelism and to encourage and equip people for the task of being Good News today.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Revd Dr Joanne Cox, Evangelism in Contemporary Culture Officer, The Methodist Church\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEssential reading for all those who want to see authentic evangelism back at the heart of the church.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eCanon Nick Cuthbert, founder Riverside Church, Birmingham\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe need all the help we can get to help ordinary people from all sorts of churches enjoy sharing their faith: bring it on!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eLucy Moore, Messy Church Team Leader at BRF\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA welcome contribution to a vital issue - the emergence of a contextually appropriate form of evangelism that empowers congregations to share good news in their communities.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eStuart Murray Williams, missiologist and founder of Urban Expression\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs someone who has been involved in church planting over a couple of decades now, there is no doubt in my mind that God's Church needs to rediscover the ability and Holy Spirit anointing in evangelism. My hope is that this book not only encourages us to share our faith but also to more fully understand its imperative.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eMajor Andrew Vertigan, Salvation Army Mission Partner, Planting\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the book I wish had been written ten years ago. It makes sense of evangelism in today's world, and offers a thoughtful, engaging, and provocative exploration of why and how we might play our part in God's work of evangelism.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eJames Lawrence, Leadership Principal, CPAS\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is such a helpful book on one of the most crucially needed areas for this time from two people with the integrity to make it real and doable. Read it and action it and release the Word about the Kingdom!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eFuzz Kitto, International Church Consultant, Sydney Australia\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDave and Paul took a risk writing this. Books that mention the 'E' word simply don't sell as much as those which don't, yet what they have to say is vital for the future of the church, a practical call for all people to engage contextually with the greatest news this world has been graced with. Read it and be inspired.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eRevd Chris Duffett, Founder of The Light Project and President of the Baptist Union of Great Britain \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe two authors have tapped a rich vein of Biblical and historic insights to come up with a book that will both inform and inspire today's Christians to move away from some negative images of evangelism and engage in ways of inviting others to follow Jesus that will be both authentic to the Gospel and inspirational in a 21st century context.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eJohn Drane, Affiliate Professor of New Testament \u0026amp; Practical Theology at Fuller Seminary, USA, and an Associate Missioner of Fresh Expressions\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat does healthy evangelism look like in the West today, so that it remains true to the heart of evangelism but appropriate for our world? This book contributes a much-needed voice of clarity and good Biblical sense to the current conversation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eJohn Bowen, Professor of Evangelism \u0026amp; Director of the Institute of Evangelism, Toronto\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Revd Dr Paul Weston teaches mission studies at Ridley Hall, Cambridge and is an affiliated lecturer in the Cambridge University Divinity Faculty. A member of the Archbishops' College of Evangelists, he has led over a hundred missions in parishes and universities both here and abroad. He has written widely on gospel and culture issues, most recently as co-editor of Theology in Missionary Perspective: Lesslie Newbigin's Legacy (Wipf \u0026amp; Stock, 2012).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Revd David Male is Director of the Centre for Pioneer Learning and Tutor in Pioneer Mission Training at Ridley Hall and Westcott House, Cambridge, and Fresh Expressions Adviser for Ely Diocese. A member of the Archbishops' College of Evangelists, he has also written Church Unplugged and contributed to books on church planting and fresh expressions, including \u003cem\u003ePioneers 4 Life\u003c\/em\u003e (BRF, 2011) which he edited.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader, Winter 2019\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith a foreword by the current Archbishop of Canterbury, this book has timely advice for any church seeking fresh thoughts and ideas for gospel outreach. It immediately reminds us that evangelism is not an abstract concept but ‘the natural overflow of an authentic Christian life’, and that it must be ‘the instinctive sharing of good news’. Jesus’ ministry, the authors remind us, reached people because they were amazed at his life and actions (Mark 1.27). This book is not primarily a source of practical ideas, but a thought provoking re-examination of principles, and thus most useful as background reading within a ministry team planning a church’s gospel outreach. The study is thoroughly based on an intelligent reading of the NT accounts of (especially) Jesus’ dealings with individuals, and the examination of Paul’s sermon in Athens is also particularly interesting. The text includes a useful analysis of such initiatives as the Billy Graham crusades of the 1950s and the contemporary Alpha phenomenon. However, it is interesting that gospel initiatives perceived as successful were mostly ineffective in reaching people with no prior connection with any church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Richard Carter\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBaptist Times online 26.02.19. Review by t\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ehe Revd Dr Martin M'Caw\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSome books are written for a specific readership, be they historians, railway buffs, music lovers or whatever. The target readership for\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Word's Out\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis the Christian world at large. Its purpose is to stimulate evangelism as an integral part of the Christian life and as the Archbishop of Canterbury states in his foreword, the authors 'have performed a service to the church.'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Word's Out\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis far from being a dull teach yourself text book. It's a warm, enthusiastic presentation of 'principles and strategies for effective evangelism today.' In doing so there is a historic summary of evangelism in terms of the big evangelistic campaigns of Moody and Sankey in the 19th century or Billy Graham in the 20th, when most men and women in the street had a smattering of Christian knowledge, in stark contrast to our contemporary second and third generation unchurched society.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe authors present a pattern of evangelism that is rooted in the ministry of Jesus and the activities of the New Testament church. They recognise there is a role for the specialist evangelist, but the key to the heart of evangelism has to flow from ministers whose role is necessarily pastor\/evangelist, teacher\/evangelist leading and encouraging their church members to grow in their love for the Lord so that evangelism becomes not 'a stand alone activity distinct from the rest of discipleship but that natural overflow of an authentic Christian life.'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe encouragement to develop evangelism as an integral part of discipleship is well set in the over-used context of post-modern society which has 'a wider cultural phenomenon of institutional dislocation.' Paul Weston's analysis is that contemporary society is not so much secular as one in which 'belief is drifting away from orthodoxy...disconnected without an anchor' to a smorgasbord of religious and world views.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a book which encourages Christians to go with the flow in the love of God, stimulating the passion and drive to grow in the Lord, and looking to help overcome their crises in confidence when talking about the faith. It's an encouragement for fellowships that are demographically challenged by dwindling numbers and a wake-up call to those Christians who only come to church to be fed with a three course sermon.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a book for every Christian. Have you heard? The word's out so let's get on with it, to be it and do it so that our evangelism really becomes part of our daily discipleship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by the Revd Dr Martin M'Caw, retired Baptist minister and Wing Chaplain no 2 Welsh Wing RAF Cadets\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e______________________________________________\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Irish Methodist Newsletter, April\/May 2019. Review by Stephen Skuce, Director of Global Relationships, The British Methodist Church\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is, I think, the most readable introduction on the understanding and practice of evangelism from a British perspective currently available. It covers in sufficient rather than obsessive detail how we got to our current state, what an understanding of evangelism looks like, how the Bible views evangelism, and how we engage in evangelism today. Throughout good research is engaged with, but not allowed to turn the text into an academic treatise. Questions at the end of each chapter make this a very useful tool for a home group. This book is really well done.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDave Male is the Director of Evangelism for the Church of England and Paul Weston leads the Newbigin Centre at Cambridge. Often the weakness of such a background for a Methodist reader is an Anglican assumption of what is the norm and then the need for us to translate to our own context. Male and Weston avoid this and have produced a book that is very accessible across the swath of British Christianity. There is a need for further thinking on some of the contexts in the Republic of Ireland, and thankfully that is starting to emerge from some associated with new churches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are a couple of highlights for me in this revised text from the 2013 original. Male considers five main epochs in evangelism in Britain over the past 100 years moving through the 1910 Edinburgh missionary conference, the 1945 Anglican evangelism initiative, Billy Graham's 1954 visit, rise of Alpha from 1990 and the role of Stormzy from 2018. I imagine most Irish Methodists are fine with three of these eras, perhaps a bit hazy about the Anglican initiative after World War Two, and blank about Stormzy. And if so, its our lack of awareness of what the urban rap artist Stormzy's understanding of faith means today that examples our partial dislocation from wider society. Look him up at\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/stormzy.com\/\"\u003ehttps:\/\/stormzy.com\/\u003c\/a\u003e. Billy Graham he is not, but is an example of a very challenging contemporary understanding and outworking of faith.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeston's chapter on witnessing from the inside out looks at the way Jesus brought the challenge of full commitment to God out of ordinary circumstances and conversational situations, whereas we more often attempt to insert faith a bit artificially into conversation and can end up arguing for 'Four Spiritual Laws' and the like. This type of expression of the gospel worked well up to recently, however the language of such an approach is increasingly alien to most, but increasingly such an approach is also viewed as inauthentic. Weston points us to the more natural stuff of life that Jesus engaged in as the authentic context for conversations about faith, commitment and discipleship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a fine book, even if the title is a tad quirky. After reading this, well worth going on to Irish Methodism's Billy Abraham and his\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eLogic of Evangelism\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003efor a more abstract level of thinking. Let's learn from others, that we might better communicate our faith with those around us today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003eRevd Dr Stephen Skuce,\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003eDirector of Global Relationships, The British Methodist Church\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e_______________________________________________\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Magazine - Diocese of Norwich July-August 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA challenging book in which the authors acknowledge that whilst there is a lot of missional language being used in the church today this might be masking a diminishing confidence and increasing hesitancy about evangelism. Examining New Testament writers' views, they cite the evangelism of the early church as a natural consequence of discipleship, with followers possessing an instinctive sharing of the good news.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaybe this could be the model to reverse declining numbers and engage with an increasing majority who have no interest in church activities and a language that is increasingly foreign in a postmodern secular culture?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSteve Foyster\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Word's Out: Speaking the Gospel Today\u003c\/em\u003e, by David Male and Paul Weston. Weston and Male represent the thoughtful and creative edge of the contemporary English 'fresh expressions' movement. They have a long record in serious theological reflection and sustained personal evangelistic practice. Unlike many evangelistic efforts in the United States, which are obsessed with the church's loss of cultural status, this book works with a sober recognition of how insignificant such matters are to the church in the United Kingdom, just as they are to the church in the United States and Canada.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Patrick R. Keifert, The Christian Century\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e_______________________________________________\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:26:22+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:26:23+00:00","vendor":"David Male","type":"Paperback","tags":["Jan-19","Kindle","Mission"],"price":999,"price_min":999,"price_max":999,"available":false,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":21770433921124,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857468161","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":false,"name":"The Word's Out: Principles and strategies for effective evangelism today - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":999,"weight":201,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857468161","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857468161-l.jpg?v=1549043107"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857468161-l.jpg?v=1549043107","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238883000459,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"width":426,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857468161-l.jpg?v=1549043107"},"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857468161-l.jpg?v=1549043107","width":426}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eAt a time of declining church attendance, this book challenges us to understand that evangelism is more important than ever. The problem is that churches and their leaders often struggle with the idea and concepts around evangelism, unsure of what might be theologically or culturally appropriate ways to communicate the message.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book aims to supply principles and strategies for evangelism that are theologically rooted, practical and relevant to the 21st century. It shows how Jesus and the early church did evangelism and what we can learn from them for our situations. There is lots of practical help from two experienced practitioners to develop an evangelistic strategy for your church. It will also encourage leaders at every level of the church to be leaders and enablers in evangelism. The approach is theologically rigorous and powerfully practical, with the focus on redefining a genuine biblical evangelism. It will help you put foundations in place for developing a sustainable strategy in your church so that you can connect not just with those on the fringes but with those who are way outside.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/hMRfuxfMzqc\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" frameborder=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a fantastic resource, packed with theology, wisdom and practical action about how we can help more people discover the fantastic good news of the gospel. I commend it with enthusiasm.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eMark Russell, Chief Executive, Church Army\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is a treasure store for church leaders who yearn to see the gospel reach our land anew, giving rich biblically rooted guidance on what sort of evangelism is appropriate for our age.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Rt Revd Dr John Inge, Bishop of Worcester and Chair of the College of Evangelists\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvangelism is one of those words that seem to have become one of those embarrassing topics of conversations in recent times. I am delighted that Dave Male and Paul Weston have taken the opportunity to challenge the perceptions about evangelism and to encourage and equip people for the task of being Good News today.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Revd Dr Joanne Cox, Evangelism in Contemporary Culture Officer, The Methodist Church\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEssential reading for all those who want to see authentic evangelism back at the heart of the church.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eCanon Nick Cuthbert, founder Riverside Church, Birmingham\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe need all the help we can get to help ordinary people from all sorts of churches enjoy sharing their faith: bring it on!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eLucy Moore, Messy Church Team Leader at BRF\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA welcome contribution to a vital issue - the emergence of a contextually appropriate form of evangelism that empowers congregations to share good news in their communities.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eStuart Murray Williams, missiologist and founder of Urban Expression\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs someone who has been involved in church planting over a couple of decades now, there is no doubt in my mind that God's Church needs to rediscover the ability and Holy Spirit anointing in evangelism. My hope is that this book not only encourages us to share our faith but also to more fully understand its imperative.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eMajor Andrew Vertigan, Salvation Army Mission Partner, Planting\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the book I wish had been written ten years ago. It makes sense of evangelism in today's world, and offers a thoughtful, engaging, and provocative exploration of why and how we might play our part in God's work of evangelism.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eJames Lawrence, Leadership Principal, CPAS\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is such a helpful book on one of the most crucially needed areas for this time from two people with the integrity to make it real and doable. Read it and action it and release the Word about the Kingdom!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eFuzz Kitto, International Church Consultant, Sydney Australia\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDave and Paul took a risk writing this. Books that mention the 'E' word simply don't sell as much as those which don't, yet what they have to say is vital for the future of the church, a practical call for all people to engage contextually with the greatest news this world has been graced with. Read it and be inspired.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eRevd Chris Duffett, Founder of The Light Project and President of the Baptist Union of Great Britain \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe two authors have tapped a rich vein of Biblical and historic insights to come up with a book that will both inform and inspire today's Christians to move away from some negative images of evangelism and engage in ways of inviting others to follow Jesus that will be both authentic to the Gospel and inspirational in a 21st century context.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eJohn Drane, Affiliate Professor of New Testament \u0026amp; Practical Theology at Fuller Seminary, USA, and an Associate Missioner of Fresh Expressions\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat does healthy evangelism look like in the West today, so that it remains true to the heart of evangelism but appropriate for our world? This book contributes a much-needed voice of clarity and good Biblical sense to the current conversation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eJohn Bowen, Professor of Evangelism \u0026amp; Director of the Institute of Evangelism, Toronto\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Revd Dr Paul Weston teaches mission studies at Ridley Hall, Cambridge and is an affiliated lecturer in the Cambridge University Divinity Faculty. A member of the Archbishops' College of Evangelists, he has led over a hundred missions in parishes and universities both here and abroad. He has written widely on gospel and culture issues, most recently as co-editor of Theology in Missionary Perspective: Lesslie Newbigin's Legacy (Wipf \u0026amp; Stock, 2012).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Revd David Male is Director of the Centre for Pioneer Learning and Tutor in Pioneer Mission Training at Ridley Hall and Westcott House, Cambridge, and Fresh Expressions Adviser for Ely Diocese. A member of the Archbishops' College of Evangelists, he has also written Church Unplugged and contributed to books on church planting and fresh expressions, including \u003cem\u003ePioneers 4 Life\u003c\/em\u003e (BRF, 2011) which he edited.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader, Winter 2019\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith a foreword by the current Archbishop of Canterbury, this book has timely advice for any church seeking fresh thoughts and ideas for gospel outreach. It immediately reminds us that evangelism is not an abstract concept but ‘the natural overflow of an authentic Christian life’, and that it must be ‘the instinctive sharing of good news’. Jesus’ ministry, the authors remind us, reached people because they were amazed at his life and actions (Mark 1.27). This book is not primarily a source of practical ideas, but a thought provoking re-examination of principles, and thus most useful as background reading within a ministry team planning a church’s gospel outreach. The study is thoroughly based on an intelligent reading of the NT accounts of (especially) Jesus’ dealings with individuals, and the examination of Paul’s sermon in Athens is also particularly interesting. The text includes a useful analysis of such initiatives as the Billy Graham crusades of the 1950s and the contemporary Alpha phenomenon. However, it is interesting that gospel initiatives perceived as successful were mostly ineffective in reaching people with no prior connection with any church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Richard Carter\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBaptist Times online 26.02.19. Review by t\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ehe Revd Dr Martin M'Caw\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSome books are written for a specific readership, be they historians, railway buffs, music lovers or whatever. The target readership for\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Word's Out\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis the Christian world at large. Its purpose is to stimulate evangelism as an integral part of the Christian life and as the Archbishop of Canterbury states in his foreword, the authors 'have performed a service to the church.'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Word's Out\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis far from being a dull teach yourself text book. It's a warm, enthusiastic presentation of 'principles and strategies for effective evangelism today.' In doing so there is a historic summary of evangelism in terms of the big evangelistic campaigns of Moody and Sankey in the 19th century or Billy Graham in the 20th, when most men and women in the street had a smattering of Christian knowledge, in stark contrast to our contemporary second and third generation unchurched society.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe authors present a pattern of evangelism that is rooted in the ministry of Jesus and the activities of the New Testament church. They recognise there is a role for the specialist evangelist, but the key to the heart of evangelism has to flow from ministers whose role is necessarily pastor\/evangelist, teacher\/evangelist leading and encouraging their church members to grow in their love for the Lord so that evangelism becomes not 'a stand alone activity distinct from the rest of discipleship but that natural overflow of an authentic Christian life.'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe encouragement to develop evangelism as an integral part of discipleship is well set in the over-used context of post-modern society which has 'a wider cultural phenomenon of institutional dislocation.' Paul Weston's analysis is that contemporary society is not so much secular as one in which 'belief is drifting away from orthodoxy...disconnected without an anchor' to a smorgasbord of religious and world views.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a book which encourages Christians to go with the flow in the love of God, stimulating the passion and drive to grow in the Lord, and looking to help overcome their crises in confidence when talking about the faith. It's an encouragement for fellowships that are demographically challenged by dwindling numbers and a wake-up call to those Christians who only come to church to be fed with a three course sermon.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a book for every Christian. Have you heard? The word's out so let's get on with it, to be it and do it so that our evangelism really becomes part of our daily discipleship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by the Revd Dr Martin M'Caw, retired Baptist minister and Wing Chaplain no 2 Welsh Wing RAF Cadets\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e______________________________________________\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Irish Methodist Newsletter, April\/May 2019. Review by Stephen Skuce, Director of Global Relationships, The British Methodist Church\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is, I think, the most readable introduction on the understanding and practice of evangelism from a British perspective currently available. It covers in sufficient rather than obsessive detail how we got to our current state, what an understanding of evangelism looks like, how the Bible views evangelism, and how we engage in evangelism today. Throughout good research is engaged with, but not allowed to turn the text into an academic treatise. Questions at the end of each chapter make this a very useful tool for a home group. This book is really well done.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDave Male is the Director of Evangelism for the Church of England and Paul Weston leads the Newbigin Centre at Cambridge. Often the weakness of such a background for a Methodist reader is an Anglican assumption of what is the norm and then the need for us to translate to our own context. Male and Weston avoid this and have produced a book that is very accessible across the swath of British Christianity. There is a need for further thinking on some of the contexts in the Republic of Ireland, and thankfully that is starting to emerge from some associated with new churches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are a couple of highlights for me in this revised text from the 2013 original. Male considers five main epochs in evangelism in Britain over the past 100 years moving through the 1910 Edinburgh missionary conference, the 1945 Anglican evangelism initiative, Billy Graham's 1954 visit, rise of Alpha from 1990 and the role of Stormzy from 2018. I imagine most Irish Methodists are fine with three of these eras, perhaps a bit hazy about the Anglican initiative after World War Two, and blank about Stormzy. And if so, its our lack of awareness of what the urban rap artist Stormzy's understanding of faith means today that examples our partial dislocation from wider society. Look him up at\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/stormzy.com\/\"\u003ehttps:\/\/stormzy.com\/\u003c\/a\u003e. Billy Graham he is not, but is an example of a very challenging contemporary understanding and outworking of faith.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeston's chapter on witnessing from the inside out looks at the way Jesus brought the challenge of full commitment to God out of ordinary circumstances and conversational situations, whereas we more often attempt to insert faith a bit artificially into conversation and can end up arguing for 'Four Spiritual Laws' and the like. This type of expression of the gospel worked well up to recently, however the language of such an approach is increasingly alien to most, but increasingly such an approach is also viewed as inauthentic. Weston points us to the more natural stuff of life that Jesus engaged in as the authentic context for conversations about faith, commitment and discipleship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a fine book, even if the title is a tad quirky. After reading this, well worth going on to Irish Methodism's Billy Abraham and his\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eLogic of Evangelism\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003efor a more abstract level of thinking. Let's learn from others, that we might better communicate our faith with those around us today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003eRevd Dr Stephen Skuce,\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003eDirector of Global Relationships, The British Methodist Church\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e_______________________________________________\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Magazine - Diocese of Norwich July-August 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA challenging book in which the authors acknowledge that whilst there is a lot of missional language being used in the church today this might be masking a diminishing confidence and increasing hesitancy about evangelism. Examining New Testament writers' views, they cite the evangelism of the early church as a natural consequence of discipleship, with followers possessing an instinctive sharing of the good news.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaybe this could be the model to reverse declining numbers and engage with an increasing majority who have no interest in church activities and a language that is increasingly foreign in a postmodern secular culture?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSteve Foyster\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Word's Out: Speaking the Gospel Today\u003c\/em\u003e, by David Male and Paul Weston. Weston and Male represent the thoughtful and creative edge of the contemporary English 'fresh expressions' movement. They have a long record in serious theological reflection and sustained personal evangelistic practice. Unlike many evangelistic efforts in the United States, which are obsessed with the church's loss of cultural status, this book works with a sober recognition of how insignificant such matters are to the church in the United Kingdom, just as they are to the church in the United States and Canada.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Patrick R. Keifert, The Christian Century\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e_______________________________________________\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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The Word's Out: Principles and strategies for effective evangelism today
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At a time of declining church attendance, this book challenges us to understand that evangelism is more important than ever....
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{"id":2439823786084,"title":"Living Differently to Make a Difference: The beatitudes and countercultural lifestyle","handle":"living-differently-to-make-a-difference-the-beatitudes-and-countercultural-lifestyle","description":"\u003cp\u003eFew would doubt that we live in a wounded and broken world. But God has sent a Saviour, Jesus Christ, who calls us, in the beatitudes, to live an authentic, countercultural lifestyle. By being different we can make a difference, becoming the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Through living the beatitudes, we could make the world a better place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/l-woNgQmdBA\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" frameborder=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHaving been in parish ministry for 25 years, Will Donaldson is Chaplain and Senior Welfare Officer of St Edmund Hall, Oxford University. He is also Area Dean of Oxford and Director of Pastoral Care at St Aldates Church. He is the author of Word and Spirit (BRF, 2011).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJulian Meetings Magazine, April 2019. Review by Felicity Bayne\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn his foreword Dr Steven Croft, Bishop of Oxford, writes that ‘There are signs that the beatitudes are coming back into focus in the life of the church as a text for the 21st century.’ Will Donaldson suggests that all our social, political and technological problems connect to the same root cause – chronic lifestyle dysfunction – and then explores a solution based on Jesus’ teaching in the beatitudes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach chapter sets one of the beatitudes in its biblical context, particularly as it relates to Isaiah 61, the Old Testament passage that Jesus read in the synagogue at Nazareth to announce the arrival of the Messiah. In each chapter one beatitude is put alongside a current or historical character or context, before leading the reader into considering how that beatitude might apply in their own lives, to the benefit of the world. Chapters 8 and 9 lead us to reflect on Jesus’ words of encouragement to his followers to be salt and light in the world. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChapters end with thoughtful, helpful questions, and suggestions for reflection alone, or within a small group. This would work well for a Lent group, taking two chapters each week.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDonaldson’s writing is both informative and challenging: an opportunity for serious study and reflection. He provides a pithy guide to Christians who wish their faith in Jesus to make a difference, becoming the salt of the earth and the light of the world, a step at a time. It’s not always a comfortable read, but practising our faith in line with the beatitudes is always an uncomfortable, but hopefully creative, challenge towards building the church of the future.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Felicity Bayne \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader, Spring 2019. Review by Ben Brown\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe beatitudes are the series of teachings by Jesus at the start of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew's gospel. They are sayings where the hierarchies of the world and the hierarchies of the heart are turned upside down. We are called to become people who are poor, meek (or gentle), merciful and pure in heart. Will Donaldson has written a passionate and engaging study of how we are called to live the beatitudes in a world where the idols of power and status are prevalent. The book has some probing questions to ask of aspects of our modern society and our modern selves. Why are we fixated on ideals of success? Why is so much modern culture obsessed with revenge? Donaldson shows how living out of the beatitudes, embracing vulnerability and spiritual poverty in our lives, embodies a joyful alternative to our cultural norms. Occasionally I found the presentation a little moralistic. His interpretation, for example that being pure in heart meant simply living with integrity struck me as reductive. Being pure can also mean being uncluttered and therefore able to see the divine more clearly. But this is a book which makes you ask transformative questions of yourself and your society and gives you, or a reading group, the opportunity to take Christi's teaching personally and embark on the daily adventure of following him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Ben Brown\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiocese of Oxford. Review by Kate Seagrave\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.oxford.anglican.org\/living-differently-to-make-a-difference\/\"\u003ehttps:\/\/www.oxford.anglican.org\/living-differently-to-make-a-difference\/\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt would appear to be a brave undertaking to write a book on such a famous passage as the beatitudes and on such topics that so many have tackled before, but Will does so with originality and confidence. This easy to read book follows the standard mixed format of so many of BRF's publications, being a combination of an individual devotional read, a small group Bible study, and an introductory guide to this famous passage of scripture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis extensive experience in pastoral care and discipleship shines through his approach and his challenge to the reader to a more distinctively and holistic Christian life. Topics covered challenge both our inner lives and 'secret' attitudes as well as our more outward and visible actions and service. The structure of each chapter stands alone, which makes dipping in and out as well as selecting chapters of particular interest entirely possible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe format makes this a quick and easy read, with plenty of illustrations from history, politics, culture, sport and literature. The individual devotions and group discussion questions provide ample invitation and space for pausing and thinking, even when read outside of a more intentional devotional or group study setting. The group questions are particularly accessible and appropriate to a group which had never done a similar study before, with a range of suggested options catering to timings from 15 minutes to an hour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe strength of this book is in the pastoral experience of the writer. His intuitive understanding and deep conviction that the presence of inner faith must be accompanied by a transformational impact upon the world around us (however big or small that world may be) shapes the way that he guides the reader through the chapters. If you are looking for an approach to the beatitudes which is easy to read, yet challenges you to pause and think and examine the lifestyle choices we make day to day, then this is for you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by the Revd Kate Seagrave, Mission Priest at the Community of St Frideswide in Oxford\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePresbyterian Herald, October 2018\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this book, Will Donaldson, a chaplain in Oxford University, explores the beatitudes taught by Jesus during his sermon on the mount, and suggests ways in which we can apply them today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat struck me about this book is that every chapter is so well researched and, as a result, Donaldson is able to explain each beatitude in the context of our history and the world in which we exist today. Scripture is woven throughout each chapter and the author draws heavily from Isaiah 61 throughout the book, as the Old Testament basis of the beatitudes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach chapter concludes with prompts for personal reflection, prayerful response and discussion for small groups, including a starter (questions to be considered over a 15-minute period), a main course (allowing for a 60-minute discussion) and concluding with dessert (another 15 minutes of discussion). While I used this book to aid my own time of devotion, I believe it would be an excellent basis for a book group or discipleship group to study the beatitudes together and decipher what the application of them looks like in their daily lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI found this to be a very challenging and beneficial read. It reinforced that as Christians, it is not for us to conform to the cultural narrative but rather to be 'set apart' for God, as has always been his desire for his people. This book is one of the most helpful books I have read for a long time.\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:25:18+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:25:19+00:00","vendor":"Will Donaldson","type":"Paperback","tags":["Biblical engagement","Group reading","Kindle","May-18","Mission"],"price":899,"price_min":899,"price_max":899,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":21770140188772,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857466716","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Living Differently to Make a Difference: The beatitudes and countercultural lifestyle - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":899,"weight":166,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857466716","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857466716-l.jpg?v=1549043120"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857466716-l.jpg?v=1549043120","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238881558667,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"width":426,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857466716-l.jpg?v=1549043120"},"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857466716-l.jpg?v=1549043120","width":426}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eFew would doubt that we live in a wounded and broken world. But God has sent a Saviour, Jesus Christ, who calls us, in the beatitudes, to live an authentic, countercultural lifestyle. By being different we can make a difference, becoming the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Through living the beatitudes, we could make the world a better place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/l-woNgQmdBA\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" frameborder=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHaving been in parish ministry for 25 years, Will Donaldson is Chaplain and Senior Welfare Officer of St Edmund Hall, Oxford University. He is also Area Dean of Oxford and Director of Pastoral Care at St Aldates Church. He is the author of Word and Spirit (BRF, 2011).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJulian Meetings Magazine, April 2019. Review by Felicity Bayne\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn his foreword Dr Steven Croft, Bishop of Oxford, writes that ‘There are signs that the beatitudes are coming back into focus in the life of the church as a text for the 21st century.’ Will Donaldson suggests that all our social, political and technological problems connect to the same root cause – chronic lifestyle dysfunction – and then explores a solution based on Jesus’ teaching in the beatitudes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach chapter sets one of the beatitudes in its biblical context, particularly as it relates to Isaiah 61, the Old Testament passage that Jesus read in the synagogue at Nazareth to announce the arrival of the Messiah. In each chapter one beatitude is put alongside a current or historical character or context, before leading the reader into considering how that beatitude might apply in their own lives, to the benefit of the world. Chapters 8 and 9 lead us to reflect on Jesus’ words of encouragement to his followers to be salt and light in the world. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChapters end with thoughtful, helpful questions, and suggestions for reflection alone, or within a small group. This would work well for a Lent group, taking two chapters each week.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDonaldson’s writing is both informative and challenging: an opportunity for serious study and reflection. He provides a pithy guide to Christians who wish their faith in Jesus to make a difference, becoming the salt of the earth and the light of the world, a step at a time. It’s not always a comfortable read, but practising our faith in line with the beatitudes is always an uncomfortable, but hopefully creative, challenge towards building the church of the future.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Felicity Bayne \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader, Spring 2019. Review by Ben Brown\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe beatitudes are the series of teachings by Jesus at the start of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew's gospel. They are sayings where the hierarchies of the world and the hierarchies of the heart are turned upside down. We are called to become people who are poor, meek (or gentle), merciful and pure in heart. Will Donaldson has written a passionate and engaging study of how we are called to live the beatitudes in a world where the idols of power and status are prevalent. The book has some probing questions to ask of aspects of our modern society and our modern selves. Why are we fixated on ideals of success? Why is so much modern culture obsessed with revenge? Donaldson shows how living out of the beatitudes, embracing vulnerability and spiritual poverty in our lives, embodies a joyful alternative to our cultural norms. Occasionally I found the presentation a little moralistic. His interpretation, for example that being pure in heart meant simply living with integrity struck me as reductive. Being pure can also mean being uncluttered and therefore able to see the divine more clearly. But this is a book which makes you ask transformative questions of yourself and your society and gives you, or a reading group, the opportunity to take Christi's teaching personally and embark on the daily adventure of following him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Ben Brown\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiocese of Oxford. Review by Kate Seagrave\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.oxford.anglican.org\/living-differently-to-make-a-difference\/\"\u003ehttps:\/\/www.oxford.anglican.org\/living-differently-to-make-a-difference\/\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt would appear to be a brave undertaking to write a book on such a famous passage as the beatitudes and on such topics that so many have tackled before, but Will does so with originality and confidence. This easy to read book follows the standard mixed format of so many of BRF's publications, being a combination of an individual devotional read, a small group Bible study, and an introductory guide to this famous passage of scripture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis extensive experience in pastoral care and discipleship shines through his approach and his challenge to the reader to a more distinctively and holistic Christian life. Topics covered challenge both our inner lives and 'secret' attitudes as well as our more outward and visible actions and service. The structure of each chapter stands alone, which makes dipping in and out as well as selecting chapters of particular interest entirely possible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe format makes this a quick and easy read, with plenty of illustrations from history, politics, culture, sport and literature. The individual devotions and group discussion questions provide ample invitation and space for pausing and thinking, even when read outside of a more intentional devotional or group study setting. The group questions are particularly accessible and appropriate to a group which had never done a similar study before, with a range of suggested options catering to timings from 15 minutes to an hour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe strength of this book is in the pastoral experience of the writer. His intuitive understanding and deep conviction that the presence of inner faith must be accompanied by a transformational impact upon the world around us (however big or small that world may be) shapes the way that he guides the reader through the chapters. If you are looking for an approach to the beatitudes which is easy to read, yet challenges you to pause and think and examine the lifestyle choices we make day to day, then this is for you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by the Revd Kate Seagrave, Mission Priest at the Community of St Frideswide in Oxford\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePresbyterian Herald, October 2018\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this book, Will Donaldson, a chaplain in Oxford University, explores the beatitudes taught by Jesus during his sermon on the mount, and suggests ways in which we can apply them today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat struck me about this book is that every chapter is so well researched and, as a result, Donaldson is able to explain each beatitude in the context of our history and the world in which we exist today. Scripture is woven throughout each chapter and the author draws heavily from Isaiah 61 throughout the book, as the Old Testament basis of the beatitudes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach chapter concludes with prompts for personal reflection, prayerful response and discussion for small groups, including a starter (questions to be considered over a 15-minute period), a main course (allowing for a 60-minute discussion) and concluding with dessert (another 15 minutes of discussion). While I used this book to aid my own time of devotion, I believe it would be an excellent basis for a book group or discipleship group to study the beatitudes together and decipher what the application of them looks like in their daily lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI found this to be a very challenging and beneficial read. It reinforced that as Christians, it is not for us to conform to the cultural narrative but rather to be 'set apart' for God, as has always been his desire for his people. This book is one of the most helpful books I have read for a long time.\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Living Differently to Make a Difference: The beatitudes and countercultural lifestyle
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Few would doubt that we live in a wounded and broken world. But God has sent a Saviour, Jesus Christ,...
{"id":2439797276772,"title":"Engaging the Word","handle":"engaging-the-word","description":"\u003cp\u003ePeter Phillips is convinced that the church in the West is not devouring the Bible or meditating on the word as it should, and therefore is spiritually malnourished and failing to thrive. Engaging the Word will transform the Bible engagement habits of Christian disciples, improving the health of the church by opening up new opportunities for drawing on God's word and new life as a result.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEngaging the Word sets out what biblical literacy means and what it looks like in our contemporary culture, exploring the benefits of biblical literacy for those who follow Jesus and for Christian leaders as local theologians and preachers. It also presents a series of practical explorations of the role of the Bible, which help us to reach up to God, reach in to develop our own identity in Christ and reach out to others.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eContents\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Bible and the word of God\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBiblical literacy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe mediated Bible\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDiscipleship and the Bible\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReaching up: spirituality\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReaching in: congregational well-being\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReaching out: engaging the world\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat a gift of a book! Peter Phillips seems to hold out the Bible to us afresh, drawing us back to the power and grace of the word of God. In this accessible book, he brings vast learning and deep understanding to explore our modern Christian engagement with the Bible. There is challenge and insight for all here, and those who read it will come out enriched, challenged, and inspired to re-engage more deeply with God's word. I shall be recommending this to everyone!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Mark Tanner, Bishop of Berwick \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis thought-provoking book explores the question of what place the Bible does and should have in Christian discipleship. It combines helpful in-depth thinking with an easy to read accessible style and is well worth a read for anyone reflecting on patterns of Christian discipleship in the 21st century.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Paula Gooder Theologian in Residence at the Bible Society \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this book Pete Philips takes seriously God, the church and the Bible. In doing so there is a challenge for each us as we face the most pressing question facing the church today - how do we share our experience of God? Pete offers grounded ways in which the Good News can be encountered afresh and offered to the world.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Gareth Powell Secretary of the Methodist Conference \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEngaging the Word is a must for individual disciples and Christian communities. Here in this book, Pete Phillips uses theology, history and practical wisdom to show why. From the first disciples to the digital disciples of the 21st century there is much to learn.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e David Wilkinson, The Principal, St Johns College, Durham University \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/PeterPhillips_480x480.jpg?v=1676496974\" width=\"269\" height=\"359\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRevd Dr Peter Phillips is a Methodist minister and Director of CODEC, a research centre housed at St John's College, Durham University. For many years, he served as New Testament Tutor on the staff of Cliff College. He has a great interest in the New Testament and in communicating the faith in a digital age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePreach Magazine (Summer 2018). Review by Alan Rashleigh\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo save readers from becoming stressed by trying to understand the subtitle, Peter has very helpfully opened his introduction with the words: 'This book is about the relationship between the reading of the Bible and following Jesus'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLater he asks the question, 'Can we be better Christians by engaging more with the Bible?' The fundamental purpose of the bible is surely to inspire mere mortals to aspire to be more like our Saviour and to follow in his footsteps. The problem comes because many people are unfamiliar with biblical language, as it is couched in terms not in everyday use. Hence the purpose of this book is to understand what the Bible is really about, and how we should use it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is a call to action. It looks at how, by engaging with the Bible, our understanding of our journey in the Christian life will be transformed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are similar books which seek to achieve the same objectives, mainly by exhorting their readers to follow the instructions laid down in the Bible. This book is different, and to some may seem to be controversial. It argues that the Bible is not a rule book or instruction manual, rather it is a guide to enable followers to 'crank up' their own engines of Christian discipleship, with a few additives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book explores biblical literacy (engagement with the Word of God) and discipleship (engagement with the world). This is not surprising as Peter was a tutor at Cliff College, and among his other 'duties' was encouraging students to engage with the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe uses examples of the writings of Augustine, Aldred and Erasmus, as well as the way in which mystery plays have helped people understand biblical stories. Being a Methodist, it would be remiss of Peter not to have included passages written by John Wesley too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book also explores what it means to engage with the Word of God in a world where contemporary communication is focused on the digital.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a well-written, readable book which provides practical advice to those reading the Bible who want to put what they have read to practical use in the world. It is in itself 'engaging' and very worthwhile reading,\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Alan Rashleigh\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReform Magazine (February 2018). Review by Robert Pope, Director of Studies in Church History and Doctrine at Westminster College, Cambridge\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat place does the Bible have in renewing Christian witness in the 21\u003csup\u003est\u003c\/sup\u003e century? This book has two basic premises. First, biblical literacy has declined, resulting not only in a lack of biblical knowledge but also in an inability to identify the biblical references which are deeply embedded in western culture. Second, biblical literacy comes not through reading in isolation alone but by reading with others in prayerful discernment of God's address to us today. The first claim is supported by survey findings and, if true - the author suggests - renders the church impotent. The second is supported by appealing to theologians - including Wesley, Bonhoeffer, von Balthasar and Hauerwas - and it inspires the proclamation of the gospel in deed as well as in word. It also results in 'noticing the presence of the word everywhere we look'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChristianity, the author argues, possesses a message that cannot be jettisoned in favour of a superficial appeal to the contemporary zeitgeist. Phillips reminds us of the need for shared community values, inspired by the collective hearing of God's word, rather than any quest for personal fulfilment alone. Only this, Phillips believes, can offer redemption to a world increasingly characterised by narratives of destruction through terrorism, violence, displacement, isolation and fragmentation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders might feel they know much of this. They might regret that advice on practical implementation comes rather late, and is, perhaps, a little muted. But as the United Reformed Church moves forward with its vision of missional discipleship and its 'Walking the Way: Living the life of Jesus today' emphasis, this book might offer a challenge and an inspiration, as well as a resource, to proclaim the Gospel afresh in our day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Robert Pope, Director of Studies in Church History and Doctrine at Westminster College, Cambridge\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Thomas Creedy (blogger)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI'm reviewing a book by a former lecturer and friend, Peter Phillips, known by many as the Director of CODEC in Durham. This book blends two passions of Pete's that I share - biblical literacy and Christian discipleship. \u003cem\u003eEngaging the Word: Biblical literacy and Christian discipleship\u003c\/em\u003e is a hidden gem of a book, bringing together Pete's wide learning, statistics, and a fierce commitment to the Bible. This is a book well worth reading - and spending time with. This book helpfully does three things - gives us a potted understanding of what the Bible is, who is reading it, and why it matters. Let me start with a quote, slightly shortened:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'\u003cem\u003eThe Bible, Webster said, is 'the vessel which bears God's majestic presence'. Recall too that Augustine had used a similar image: 'Scripture is the vehicle that God provides for us to travel to our true home along the road established by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. In the Bible, God comes to address us, to invite us into relationship with him.\u003c\/em\u003e''\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePete begins with a couple of great chapters - The Bible and the word of God and Biblical literacy - that serve as a sort of roadmap for where he's coming from. Throughout both of these chapters, there is a real excitement about the Bible, and the possibilities that come in the Christian life from reading and engaging with it. Pete calls the Bible 'the engine for Christian discipleship', and this is a really helpful image in my mind. Of course, the Bible is more than this (but surely not less than this), and Pete walks us through this and three other understandings of what the Bible 'is'. Having given us a sense of what the Bible is, we turn to the tricky concept of biblical literacy, and without spoiling the book his suggestions are thoroughgoingly Trinitarian, church-oriented and dynamic. This is not just head knowledge - the Bible challenges Christian disciples to be transformed - and this is made clear throughout. Having set the scene with two very helpful chapters (the first is a brilliant explanation in reasonably normal English as to what the Bible is, the latter distilling a complex discussion into a simple output), Pete moves on to two chapters about the way we use the Bible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChapter three, 'The mediated Bible'\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003eis a careful look at how Christians (and others) have engaged with the Bible over time. Pete walks us through a sort of print time machine, looking at key folk in church history and how they engaged with the Bible. We think about 'The Didache' (an early Christian text), Augustine, Aldred, the mystery plays, Erasmus, and Wesley. This chapter makes for an intriguing overview, helping today's reader to root practices of Bible engagement in the past, and also providing food for thought in the way we might approach the Bible today. Chapter four, 'Discipleship and the Bible', is one of the best bits of recent writing on that topic that I've read. Rooted in the words of the Bible, and taking the imagery of the Disciples on the way to Emmaus, Pete makes a strong and passionate case for not just having the Bible as a central part of our discipleship, but thinking about soaking ourselves in it, marinating in it like meat before cooking. With helpful lessons from von Balthasar and Bonhoeffer, Pete encourages us to move from passive to active faith, with the Bible as a key part of that. With this in mind, we readers approach the final part of the book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe final three chapters of 'Engaging the Word' cover the three aspects of discipleship that Pete wants to bring the Bible to bear on: reaching up (spirituality), reaching in (congregational well-being) and reaching out (engaging the world). Key to all of this - and a theme that comes through throughout the book - is community. Or, as Pete puts it, quoting Stanley Hauerwas;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'\u003cem\u003e'\u003c\/em\u003eA place where God is forming a family out of strangers'. That language resonates with the models of discipleship from Bonhoeffer and von Balthasar: the sense that we become disciples by sharing together in small groups, in communities, learning from one another, becoming friends and family, as we eat and drink and be together. Learning through open commensality, by opening ourselves up to one another and allowing God's word to\u003cem\u003e soak us in his presence\u003c\/em\u003e' From this place - this Bible-drenched community - flows the outpouring of discipleship. Woven in amongst these final three chapters is a deeply biblical emphasis on community and doing the stuff of the Kingdom of God - with some helpful practical suggestions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall, then, this is a brilliant book. Pete wears his learning lightly, brings together statistics and concepts in a way that makes a lot of sense, and offers us some excellent practical suggestions. If, like me, you are about to start (or do already) leading a small group, this is a great book to read to shape your thinking. If you are interested in Biblical literacy, or what Christians think of the Bible, then this is a book that is well worth reading. For those involved in church leadership of any kind, even if it feels more practical and less Bible-y than you might like, this is a helpful book to remind us where the engine is, how it works, and why we need to use it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Thomas Creedy.\u003c\/em\u003e https:\/\/www.thomascreedy.com\/book-review-engaging-the-word\/\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-12-13T17:54:09+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:23:40+00:00","vendor":"Peter M. Phillips","type":"Paperback","tags":["Biblical engagement","For churches","Kindle","Mission"],"price":799,"price_min":799,"price_max":799,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":21769714892900,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857465832","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Engaging the Word - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":799,"weight":201,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857465832","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857465832-l.jpg?v=1549043137"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857465832-l.jpg?v=1549043137","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238879690891,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"width":427,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857465832-l.jpg?v=1549043137"},"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857465832-l.jpg?v=1549043137","width":427}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003ePeter Phillips is convinced that the church in the West is not devouring the Bible or meditating on the word as it should, and therefore is spiritually malnourished and failing to thrive. Engaging the Word will transform the Bible engagement habits of Christian disciples, improving the health of the church by opening up new opportunities for drawing on God's word and new life as a result.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEngaging the Word sets out what biblical literacy means and what it looks like in our contemporary culture, exploring the benefits of biblical literacy for those who follow Jesus and for Christian leaders as local theologians and preachers. It also presents a series of practical explorations of the role of the Bible, which help us to reach up to God, reach in to develop our own identity in Christ and reach out to others.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eContents\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Bible and the word of God\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBiblical literacy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe mediated Bible\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDiscipleship and the Bible\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReaching up: spirituality\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReaching in: congregational well-being\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReaching out: engaging the world\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat a gift of a book! Peter Phillips seems to hold out the Bible to us afresh, drawing us back to the power and grace of the word of God. In this accessible book, he brings vast learning and deep understanding to explore our modern Christian engagement with the Bible. There is challenge and insight for all here, and those who read it will come out enriched, challenged, and inspired to re-engage more deeply with God's word. I shall be recommending this to everyone!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Mark Tanner, Bishop of Berwick \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis thought-provoking book explores the question of what place the Bible does and should have in Christian discipleship. It combines helpful in-depth thinking with an easy to read accessible style and is well worth a read for anyone reflecting on patterns of Christian discipleship in the 21st century.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Paula Gooder Theologian in Residence at the Bible Society \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this book Pete Philips takes seriously God, the church and the Bible. In doing so there is a challenge for each us as we face the most pressing question facing the church today - how do we share our experience of God? Pete offers grounded ways in which the Good News can be encountered afresh and offered to the world.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Gareth Powell Secretary of the Methodist Conference \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEngaging the Word is a must for individual disciples and Christian communities. Here in this book, Pete Phillips uses theology, history and practical wisdom to show why. From the first disciples to the digital disciples of the 21st century there is much to learn.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e David Wilkinson, The Principal, St Johns College, Durham University \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/PeterPhillips_480x480.jpg?v=1676496974\" width=\"269\" height=\"359\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRevd Dr Peter Phillips is a Methodist minister and Director of CODEC, a research centre housed at St John's College, Durham University. For many years, he served as New Testament Tutor on the staff of Cliff College. He has a great interest in the New Testament and in communicating the faith in a digital age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePreach Magazine (Summer 2018). Review by Alan Rashleigh\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo save readers from becoming stressed by trying to understand the subtitle, Peter has very helpfully opened his introduction with the words: 'This book is about the relationship between the reading of the Bible and following Jesus'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLater he asks the question, 'Can we be better Christians by engaging more with the Bible?' The fundamental purpose of the bible is surely to inspire mere mortals to aspire to be more like our Saviour and to follow in his footsteps. The problem comes because many people are unfamiliar with biblical language, as it is couched in terms not in everyday use. Hence the purpose of this book is to understand what the Bible is really about, and how we should use it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is a call to action. It looks at how, by engaging with the Bible, our understanding of our journey in the Christian life will be transformed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are similar books which seek to achieve the same objectives, mainly by exhorting their readers to follow the instructions laid down in the Bible. This book is different, and to some may seem to be controversial. It argues that the Bible is not a rule book or instruction manual, rather it is a guide to enable followers to 'crank up' their own engines of Christian discipleship, with a few additives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book explores biblical literacy (engagement with the Word of God) and discipleship (engagement with the world). This is not surprising as Peter was a tutor at Cliff College, and among his other 'duties' was encouraging students to engage with the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe uses examples of the writings of Augustine, Aldred and Erasmus, as well as the way in which mystery plays have helped people understand biblical stories. Being a Methodist, it would be remiss of Peter not to have included passages written by John Wesley too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book also explores what it means to engage with the Word of God in a world where contemporary communication is focused on the digital.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a well-written, readable book which provides practical advice to those reading the Bible who want to put what they have read to practical use in the world. It is in itself 'engaging' and very worthwhile reading,\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Alan Rashleigh\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReform Magazine (February 2018). Review by Robert Pope, Director of Studies in Church History and Doctrine at Westminster College, Cambridge\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat place does the Bible have in renewing Christian witness in the 21\u003csup\u003est\u003c\/sup\u003e century? This book has two basic premises. First, biblical literacy has declined, resulting not only in a lack of biblical knowledge but also in an inability to identify the biblical references which are deeply embedded in western culture. Second, biblical literacy comes not through reading in isolation alone but by reading with others in prayerful discernment of God's address to us today. The first claim is supported by survey findings and, if true - the author suggests - renders the church impotent. The second is supported by appealing to theologians - including Wesley, Bonhoeffer, von Balthasar and Hauerwas - and it inspires the proclamation of the gospel in deed as well as in word. It also results in 'noticing the presence of the word everywhere we look'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChristianity, the author argues, possesses a message that cannot be jettisoned in favour of a superficial appeal to the contemporary zeitgeist. Phillips reminds us of the need for shared community values, inspired by the collective hearing of God's word, rather than any quest for personal fulfilment alone. Only this, Phillips believes, can offer redemption to a world increasingly characterised by narratives of destruction through terrorism, violence, displacement, isolation and fragmentation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders might feel they know much of this. They might regret that advice on practical implementation comes rather late, and is, perhaps, a little muted. But as the United Reformed Church moves forward with its vision of missional discipleship and its 'Walking the Way: Living the life of Jesus today' emphasis, this book might offer a challenge and an inspiration, as well as a resource, to proclaim the Gospel afresh in our day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Robert Pope, Director of Studies in Church History and Doctrine at Westminster College, Cambridge\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Thomas Creedy (blogger)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI'm reviewing a book by a former lecturer and friend, Peter Phillips, known by many as the Director of CODEC in Durham. This book blends two passions of Pete's that I share - biblical literacy and Christian discipleship. \u003cem\u003eEngaging the Word: Biblical literacy and Christian discipleship\u003c\/em\u003e is a hidden gem of a book, bringing together Pete's wide learning, statistics, and a fierce commitment to the Bible. This is a book well worth reading - and spending time with. This book helpfully does three things - gives us a potted understanding of what the Bible is, who is reading it, and why it matters. Let me start with a quote, slightly shortened:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'\u003cem\u003eThe Bible, Webster said, is 'the vessel which bears God's majestic presence'. Recall too that Augustine had used a similar image: 'Scripture is the vehicle that God provides for us to travel to our true home along the road established by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. In the Bible, God comes to address us, to invite us into relationship with him.\u003c\/em\u003e''\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePete begins with a couple of great chapters - The Bible and the word of God and Biblical literacy - that serve as a sort of roadmap for where he's coming from. Throughout both of these chapters, there is a real excitement about the Bible, and the possibilities that come in the Christian life from reading and engaging with it. Pete calls the Bible 'the engine for Christian discipleship', and this is a really helpful image in my mind. Of course, the Bible is more than this (but surely not less than this), and Pete walks us through this and three other understandings of what the Bible 'is'. Having given us a sense of what the Bible is, we turn to the tricky concept of biblical literacy, and without spoiling the book his suggestions are thoroughgoingly Trinitarian, church-oriented and dynamic. This is not just head knowledge - the Bible challenges Christian disciples to be transformed - and this is made clear throughout. Having set the scene with two very helpful chapters (the first is a brilliant explanation in reasonably normal English as to what the Bible is, the latter distilling a complex discussion into a simple output), Pete moves on to two chapters about the way we use the Bible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChapter three, 'The mediated Bible'\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003eis a careful look at how Christians (and others) have engaged with the Bible over time. Pete walks us through a sort of print time machine, looking at key folk in church history and how they engaged with the Bible. We think about 'The Didache' (an early Christian text), Augustine, Aldred, the mystery plays, Erasmus, and Wesley. This chapter makes for an intriguing overview, helping today's reader to root practices of Bible engagement in the past, and also providing food for thought in the way we might approach the Bible today. Chapter four, 'Discipleship and the Bible', is one of the best bits of recent writing on that topic that I've read. Rooted in the words of the Bible, and taking the imagery of the Disciples on the way to Emmaus, Pete makes a strong and passionate case for not just having the Bible as a central part of our discipleship, but thinking about soaking ourselves in it, marinating in it like meat before cooking. With helpful lessons from von Balthasar and Bonhoeffer, Pete encourages us to move from passive to active faith, with the Bible as a key part of that. With this in mind, we readers approach the final part of the book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe final three chapters of 'Engaging the Word' cover the three aspects of discipleship that Pete wants to bring the Bible to bear on: reaching up (spirituality), reaching in (congregational well-being) and reaching out (engaging the world). Key to all of this - and a theme that comes through throughout the book - is community. Or, as Pete puts it, quoting Stanley Hauerwas;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'\u003cem\u003e'\u003c\/em\u003eA place where God is forming a family out of strangers'. That language resonates with the models of discipleship from Bonhoeffer and von Balthasar: the sense that we become disciples by sharing together in small groups, in communities, learning from one another, becoming friends and family, as we eat and drink and be together. Learning through open commensality, by opening ourselves up to one another and allowing God's word to\u003cem\u003e soak us in his presence\u003c\/em\u003e' From this place - this Bible-drenched community - flows the outpouring of discipleship. Woven in amongst these final three chapters is a deeply biblical emphasis on community and doing the stuff of the Kingdom of God - with some helpful practical suggestions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall, then, this is a brilliant book. Pete wears his learning lightly, brings together statistics and concepts in a way that makes a lot of sense, and offers us some excellent practical suggestions. If, like me, you are about to start (or do already) leading a small group, this is a great book to read to shape your thinking. If you are interested in Biblical literacy, or what Christians think of the Bible, then this is a book that is well worth reading. For those involved in church leadership of any kind, even if it feels more practical and less Bible-y than you might like, this is a helpful book to remind us where the engine is, how it works, and why we need to use it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Thomas Creedy.\u003c\/em\u003e https:\/\/www.thomascreedy.com\/book-review-engaging-the-word\/\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Engaging the Word
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Peter Phillips is convinced that the church in the West is not devouring the Bible or meditating on the word...
{"id":2439789183076,"title":"Eat, Pray, Tell: A relational approach to 21st-century mission","handle":"eat-pray-tell-a-relational-approach-to-21st-century-mission","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eJesus told his disciples to go to a town and to find someone who would receive them as a guest. They were encouraged to eat within the community, build friendships, make contacts and teach the gospel. In this exciting book, Andrew Francis urges us to notice the order. The disciples were to seek the welfare of others by praying for and healing them - in other words, by meeting their obvious needs. It was only then that teaching and telling about the 'reign of God' would begin. This was Jesus' strategy for mission. Andrew Francis suggests that it should be ours today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eContents\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIntroduction: Jesus' instruction to his disciples\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEat\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWelcome\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe growing understanding of Christian hospitality\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEating together in Jesus-shaped mission\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePray\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBearing one another's burdens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePray on all occasions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBe still and know\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTell\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThere is good news!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLearning by experience\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrowing as a Jesus-shaped community\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBecoming Jesus-shaped people\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShake the dust off your feet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrinciples for a missionary community\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEat, pray, tell: the shape of things to come\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAndrew Francis is a community theologian, conference speaker, writer and published poet. He is a retired United Reformed Church minister and joyful cook.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBaptist Times, August 2018. Reviewed by: Simon Werrett\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEat, pray, tell: we perhaps do all these three things most days, but this book is about combining the three. It is an interesting book which combines theological insight with practical application. Despite the title of 'a relational approach to 21st century mission', which might put some off reading, it is actually an easy book to read and digest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is split into four parts: eat, pray, tell and becoming Jesus-shaped people. The fourth part is really drawing the first three parts together. As the introduction reminds us 'we all eat'. If we don't then we would not survive long; we often share meals whether with friends in a local caf , family meals or shared work cafeteria tables. As one who likes to eat alone, in quiet, reading it was a challenge to think how can I use the experience within the work context.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter each chapter there are questions for the reader to consider, so the book could be used for individual or group Bible study or a book reading group.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAuthor Andrew Francis, a retired United Reformed Church minister and 'joyful cook', draws his examples from a variety of denominations including Mennonite\/Anabaptist as well as his own experience. There is a considerable amount of reference to scripture and outreach methods Jesus used. He suggests that the 'eat, pray, tell' model is often used by Jesus: the feeding of the 5000 and Last Supper, for example.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe outlines how we have come the full circle, from anniversary meals, harvest suppers to caf church and Alpha meeting. Everything is focused on the shared meal, from which we then progress to fellowship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the section on prayer he explores the psalms and the examples of Jesus before moving onto modern day examples and looking at 'devotio moderna'. There is a simple expounding of Galatians and Ephesians in relation to prayer and its effect on our busy modern lives. He suggests we should dwell in a 'habitat of prayer'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tell section focuses on how we share the good news, whether in a formal situation like Alpha or a conversation over tea with friends. The command of Jesus is to tell others and we can do that in many different ways.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe final chapters bring it all together and suggest that if we can do this then we will become a Jesus-shaped community. We do need to re-assess our activities, try new ways and move forward, but the foundation is telling people about Jesus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA really enjoyable book, in which I picked up some new ideas I may try out. Highly recommended.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSimon Werrett is a BUGB Specialist Advisor and Senior Minister Eastwood Evangelical Church\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader, Autumn 2018. Review by Howard Rowe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a very practical book, with a message which, if followed, would enliven the Church. Jesus told his disciples to go to a town and find someone who would receive them. They were to eat with their new friends, pray for them and tell them the news of God's kingdom. Eat, pray and tell is the simple but vital message of this book. Francis calls it 'a relational approach to 21\u003csup\u003est\u003c\/sup\u003e-century mission', an approach which ought to be obvious, and a way of life for the kingdom, but in many churches isn't. Francis explores practical aspects of eating with believers and not-yet-believers, understanding each other's needs and praying for each other, and telling what we know with gentleness and respect. The book is an easy read and would suit a home group or church council as well as an individual. There are group discussion questions at the end of each chapter. I recommend it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Howard Rowe\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Irish Methodist Newsletter, July 2018. Review by Revd Dr Stephen Skuce, Director of Global Relationships, the British Methodist Church\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe know that there is a problem with some traditional approaches to mission and evangelism. Methods of communicating and sharing the Christian faith that made a significant impact a generation or more ago, don't have the same impact today. That's the easy bit. Understanding missional approaches appropriate to today is more challenging. Andrew Francis, a retired United Reform Church minister and cook, offers a straightforward and attractive response. What we need to do, he suggests, is eat together, pray together and tell the good news of Jesus. It's really not very complicated.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe premise is that many of our most enjoyable and life affirming moments are found around meal tables with family and friends. We move from superficial friendships to knowing people at a deeper level when we eat together. Over the table we can more freely share what is important and vital to us. There can be specific ways to use this approach as an evangelistic tactic, but that isn't the direction of the book. It's all about being normal, real, natural and authentic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChapters recount the ministry of Jesus that constantly featured meal times with friends and disciples. The community life of the early church was built around the shared meal, but as the church developed this was increasingly lost, and the shared meal replaced with the more stylised service of Holy Communion. There have been numerous movements that have sought to restore a shared meal, such as early Methodism's love feasts. In our generation we note that Alpha, Messy Church and caf church all feature eating together. But note that I'm excluding any instant coffee and plain biscuits after a service. That doesn't quite do it. Hopefully we meet either before or after worship services, and hopefully it's a more exuberant sharing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the small Methodist Church that I'm currently part of, perhaps the two significant bits of our life are a monthly men's group that involves about a dozen or so of us. For most this is their only contact with the church. We do the usual round of darts nights, snooker and so on, but it always involves food. The other event is a monthly Sunday lunch that one couple have put on for the past 10 years with up to 16 participating. While it might have raised over GBP10,000 for a Zambian charity so far, its biggest impact is in sharing faith around the meal table.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAndrew Francis is on to something good. He is reminding us of a core element of missional hospitality in the ministry of Jesus and the life of the Church that we too often forget. The success of the Great British Bake Off and the like, show the value we put on food. We all need to eat. Perhaps we can increasingly use these opportunities to show and share Christ's love and good news with many so that even more can eventually share in the 'heavenly banquet prepared for all humanity'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Revd Dr Stephen Skuce, Director of Global Relationships, the British Methodist Church\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReform April 2018. Review by Andrew Willett\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI write this review in the wake of Billy Graham's death, after a lifetime of evangelism - most famously through large gatherings where he preached and called people to repentance. Nowadays, we rarely see such large-scale, evangelistic campaigns (although J John did organise an event last year at the Emirates Stadium). \u003cem\u003eEat, Pray, Tell\u003c\/em\u003e is about one of several different and smaller approaches to evangelism.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book's title goes a long way to explain what the book is about. Andrew Francis, a retired United Reformed Church minister, encourages the reader to share the Gospel by first developing a relationship with the other person. This is now a common teaching from many authors. The method that Francis prompts us to use starts with eating together. He reminds us that a quarter of Jesus' ministry revolved around food, so for those seeking to be a Jesus-shaped community, eating together should come naturally. Francis gives examples of sharing food in the context of mission, for instance the Alpha course and Messy Church. In this friendly, foody environment, people may be readier to engage spiritually through prayer (pray) and in conversation (tell) - hence 'eat, pray, tell'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI found this book helpful and the author's approach a positive method of evangelism. Francis writes in an accessible style which is enjoyable to read, but for me it could have been a little shorter and still the message would have been conveyed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book could have a wide appeal within the URC. Francis proposes using his 'eat, pray, tell' method without ordained ministers being involved, which would be helpful in those situations where ministerial deployment is an issue. There are questions at the end of each chapter, so Francis' book might be useful to groups that want to consider this form of mission. Francis also points out that the ideas in this book can be found too in Holy Habits, the key resource for the URC's 'Walking the Way: Living the life of Jesus today' emphasis on discipleship. With this in mind, \u003cem\u003eEat, Pray, Tell\u003c\/em\u003e could be useful in assisting URC and Methodist churches in deepening discipleship work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAndrew Willett is a church minister and an evangelism advocate\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-10-30T08:10:00+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:23:10+00:00","vendor":"Andrew Francis","type":"eBook","tags":["Glassboxx","Jan-18","Mission"],"price":799,"price_min":799,"price_max":799,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":21769606922340,"title":"eBook","option1":"eBook","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857465665","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Eat, Pray, Tell: A relational approach to 21st-century mission - eBook","public_title":"eBook","options":["eBook"],"price":799,"weight":180,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857465665","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/261.png?v=1730980307","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/262.png?v=1730980381"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/261.png?v=1730980307","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":63001483379068,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/261.png?v=1730980307"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/261.png?v=1730980307","width":1303},{"alt":null,"id":63001500221820,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/262.png?v=1730980381"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/262.png?v=1730980381","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eJesus told his disciples to go to a town and to find someone who would receive them as a guest. They were encouraged to eat within the community, build friendships, make contacts and teach the gospel. In this exciting book, Andrew Francis urges us to notice the order. The disciples were to seek the welfare of others by praying for and healing them - in other words, by meeting their obvious needs. It was only then that teaching and telling about the 'reign of God' would begin. This was Jesus' strategy for mission. Andrew Francis suggests that it should be ours today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eContents\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIntroduction: Jesus' instruction to his disciples\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEat\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWelcome\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe growing understanding of Christian hospitality\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEating together in Jesus-shaped mission\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePray\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBearing one another's burdens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePray on all occasions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBe still and know\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTell\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThere is good news!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLearning by experience\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrowing as a Jesus-shaped community\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBecoming Jesus-shaped people\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShake the dust off your feet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrinciples for a missionary community\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEat, pray, tell: the shape of things to come\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAndrew Francis is a community theologian, conference speaker, writer and published poet. He is a retired United Reformed Church minister and joyful cook.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBaptist Times, August 2018. Reviewed by: Simon Werrett\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEat, pray, tell: we perhaps do all these three things most days, but this book is about combining the three. It is an interesting book which combines theological insight with practical application. Despite the title of 'a relational approach to 21st century mission', which might put some off reading, it is actually an easy book to read and digest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is split into four parts: eat, pray, tell and becoming Jesus-shaped people. The fourth part is really drawing the first three parts together. As the introduction reminds us 'we all eat'. If we don't then we would not survive long; we often share meals whether with friends in a local caf , family meals or shared work cafeteria tables. As one who likes to eat alone, in quiet, reading it was a challenge to think how can I use the experience within the work context.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter each chapter there are questions for the reader to consider, so the book could be used for individual or group Bible study or a book reading group.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAuthor Andrew Francis, a retired United Reformed Church minister and 'joyful cook', draws his examples from a variety of denominations including Mennonite\/Anabaptist as well as his own experience. There is a considerable amount of reference to scripture and outreach methods Jesus used. He suggests that the 'eat, pray, tell' model is often used by Jesus: the feeding of the 5000 and Last Supper, for example.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe outlines how we have come the full circle, from anniversary meals, harvest suppers to caf church and Alpha meeting. Everything is focused on the shared meal, from which we then progress to fellowship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the section on prayer he explores the psalms and the examples of Jesus before moving onto modern day examples and looking at 'devotio moderna'. There is a simple expounding of Galatians and Ephesians in relation to prayer and its effect on our busy modern lives. He suggests we should dwell in a 'habitat of prayer'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tell section focuses on how we share the good news, whether in a formal situation like Alpha or a conversation over tea with friends. The command of Jesus is to tell others and we can do that in many different ways.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe final chapters bring it all together and suggest that if we can do this then we will become a Jesus-shaped community. We do need to re-assess our activities, try new ways and move forward, but the foundation is telling people about Jesus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA really enjoyable book, in which I picked up some new ideas I may try out. Highly recommended.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSimon Werrett is a BUGB Specialist Advisor and Senior Minister Eastwood Evangelical Church\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader, Autumn 2018. Review by Howard Rowe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a very practical book, with a message which, if followed, would enliven the Church. Jesus told his disciples to go to a town and find someone who would receive them. They were to eat with their new friends, pray for them and tell them the news of God's kingdom. Eat, pray and tell is the simple but vital message of this book. Francis calls it 'a relational approach to 21\u003csup\u003est\u003c\/sup\u003e-century mission', an approach which ought to be obvious, and a way of life for the kingdom, but in many churches isn't. Francis explores practical aspects of eating with believers and not-yet-believers, understanding each other's needs and praying for each other, and telling what we know with gentleness and respect. The book is an easy read and would suit a home group or church council as well as an individual. There are group discussion questions at the end of each chapter. I recommend it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Howard Rowe\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Irish Methodist Newsletter, July 2018. Review by Revd Dr Stephen Skuce, Director of Global Relationships, the British Methodist Church\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe know that there is a problem with some traditional approaches to mission and evangelism. Methods of communicating and sharing the Christian faith that made a significant impact a generation or more ago, don't have the same impact today. That's the easy bit. Understanding missional approaches appropriate to today is more challenging. Andrew Francis, a retired United Reform Church minister and cook, offers a straightforward and attractive response. What we need to do, he suggests, is eat together, pray together and tell the good news of Jesus. It's really not very complicated.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe premise is that many of our most enjoyable and life affirming moments are found around meal tables with family and friends. We move from superficial friendships to knowing people at a deeper level when we eat together. Over the table we can more freely share what is important and vital to us. There can be specific ways to use this approach as an evangelistic tactic, but that isn't the direction of the book. It's all about being normal, real, natural and authentic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChapters recount the ministry of Jesus that constantly featured meal times with friends and disciples. The community life of the early church was built around the shared meal, but as the church developed this was increasingly lost, and the shared meal replaced with the more stylised service of Holy Communion. There have been numerous movements that have sought to restore a shared meal, such as early Methodism's love feasts. In our generation we note that Alpha, Messy Church and caf church all feature eating together. But note that I'm excluding any instant coffee and plain biscuits after a service. That doesn't quite do it. Hopefully we meet either before or after worship services, and hopefully it's a more exuberant sharing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the small Methodist Church that I'm currently part of, perhaps the two significant bits of our life are a monthly men's group that involves about a dozen or so of us. For most this is their only contact with the church. We do the usual round of darts nights, snooker and so on, but it always involves food. The other event is a monthly Sunday lunch that one couple have put on for the past 10 years with up to 16 participating. While it might have raised over GBP10,000 for a Zambian charity so far, its biggest impact is in sharing faith around the meal table.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAndrew Francis is on to something good. He is reminding us of a core element of missional hospitality in the ministry of Jesus and the life of the Church that we too often forget. The success of the Great British Bake Off and the like, show the value we put on food. We all need to eat. Perhaps we can increasingly use these opportunities to show and share Christ's love and good news with many so that even more can eventually share in the 'heavenly banquet prepared for all humanity'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Revd Dr Stephen Skuce, Director of Global Relationships, the British Methodist Church\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReform April 2018. Review by Andrew Willett\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI write this review in the wake of Billy Graham's death, after a lifetime of evangelism - most famously through large gatherings where he preached and called people to repentance. Nowadays, we rarely see such large-scale, evangelistic campaigns (although J John did organise an event last year at the Emirates Stadium). \u003cem\u003eEat, Pray, Tell\u003c\/em\u003e is about one of several different and smaller approaches to evangelism.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book's title goes a long way to explain what the book is about. Andrew Francis, a retired United Reformed Church minister, encourages the reader to share the Gospel by first developing a relationship with the other person. This is now a common teaching from many authors. The method that Francis prompts us to use starts with eating together. He reminds us that a quarter of Jesus' ministry revolved around food, so for those seeking to be a Jesus-shaped community, eating together should come naturally. Francis gives examples of sharing food in the context of mission, for instance the Alpha course and Messy Church. In this friendly, foody environment, people may be readier to engage spiritually through prayer (pray) and in conversation (tell) - hence 'eat, pray, tell'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI found this book helpful and the author's approach a positive method of evangelism. Francis writes in an accessible style which is enjoyable to read, but for me it could have been a little shorter and still the message would have been conveyed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book could have a wide appeal within the URC. Francis proposes using his 'eat, pray, tell' method without ordained ministers being involved, which would be helpful in those situations where ministerial deployment is an issue. There are questions at the end of each chapter, so Francis' book might be useful to groups that want to consider this form of mission. Francis also points out that the ideas in this book can be found too in Holy Habits, the key resource for the URC's 'Walking the Way: Living the life of Jesus today' emphasis on discipleship. With this in mind, \u003cem\u003eEat, Pray, Tell\u003c\/em\u003e could be useful in assisting URC and Methodist churches in deepening discipleship work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAndrew Willett is a church minister and an evangelism advocate\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Eat, Pray, Tell: A relational approach to 21st-century mission
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{"id":2439785939044,"title":"Paul and His Friends in Leadership: How they changed the world","handle":"paul-and-his-friends-in-leadership-how-they-changed-the-world","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe more we understand biblical characters like the apostle Paul in their specific situations and in their own time, the more we will be able to apply biblical principles to today's church, its leaders and its mission-transforming and enriching the way we do church today. Paul and His Friends in Leadership examines the apostle Paul's critical relationships with key people, illustrating his humanity, faith, confidence in God and his leadership qualities. This novel approach, by an expert in the New Testament, will encourage us to reflect on leadership in the church today and help us to see how crucial authentic relationships are to our contemporary mission.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch3\u003eContents\u003c\/h3\u003e\r\nPreface\u003cbr\u003e\r\nPaul's greatness\u003cbr\u003e\r\nPaul's life: a sketch\u003cbr\u003e\r\nPaul's calling, his mission and his churches\u003cbr\u003e\r\nPaul's mission to Cyprus and Galatia (AD47 - 48)\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eBarnabas, missionary leader\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\nPaul's mission to the Aegean provinces (AD49 - 57)\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSilvanus, missionary and translator \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eTimothy, Paul's leading fellow worker \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eLuke, beloved physician and author \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003ePriscilla and Aquila, merchants \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eStephanas, servant of the saints \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eGaius, host of the church in Corinth \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eApollos, passionate preacher \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eErastus, high-ranking city official \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eTitus (part 1), Paul's ambassador \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eEpaphras, evangelist \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003ePhilemon, house-church leader \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eOnesimus, runaway slave \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eJohn Mark, author \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eThe Asiarchs of Ephesus, leading citizens\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003ePhoebe, patroness in Cenchreae \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eAristarchus, travel companion \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\nPaul's mission in Rome (AD57)\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAndronicus and Junia, Paul's kin \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eRufus, 'chosen in the Lord' \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\nPaul's last years (AD60 - 65)\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEpaphroditus, carer \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eEuodia and Syntyche, fellow workers \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eTitus (part 2), evangelist in Crete \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eOnesiphorus, earnest friend \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\nThe origin of love in the writings of Paul\u003cbr\u003e\r\nThe significance of Paul's mission friends\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nPaul W. Barnett is a former Bishop of North Sydney, Australia, and lecturer in New Testament at Moore College, Sydney. He is the author of many well-received and influential books on the New Testament. His two interests are Christian ministry and the world of the early church. His passion is to encourage the practice of biblical principles for ministry in today's world.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader, Summer 2018\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eReview by David Sellick\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eBarnett sets out to show that Paul was more of a 'people person' than he is often given credit for and that he offered caring leadership to those with whom he shared mission, so that together 'they changed the world', as the book's subtitle claims. In Acts and Paul's letters about 100 people are named and of these Barnett identifies about forty whom he regards as Paul's key 'mission colleagues'. All named people associated with Paul's missionary work from AD49 to 57 are introduced and discussed in as much detail as the author can amass. We know that Paul often mentions people by name in his letters, but Barnett cross references Acts and the letters to produce a mini-biography of each, thereby illustrating how Paul chose, trained and supported a string of fellow missionaries who so firmly established the emerging Christian church across the eastern Roman Empire to the imperial city itself. This is a fascinating complement to Pauline studies.\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-12-14T16:20:10+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:22:54+00:00","vendor":"Paul W Barnett","type":"Paperback","tags":["Kindle","Leadership","Mission"],"price":799,"price_min":799,"price_max":799,"available":false,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":21769567076452,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857465443","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":7436780798052,"product_id":2439785939044,"position":1,"created_at":"2019-01-18T15:22:54+00:00","updated_at":"2019-02-01T17:45:46+00:00","alt":null,"width":427,"height":650,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857465443-l.jpg?v=1549043146","variant_ids":[21769567076452]},"available":false,"name":"Paul and His Friends in Leadership: How they changed the world - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":799,"weight":182,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857465443","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":3238878773387,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"width":427,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857465443-l.jpg?v=1549043146"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857465443-l.jpg?v=1549043146"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857465443-l.jpg?v=1549043146","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238878773387,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"width":427,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857465443-l.jpg?v=1549043146"},"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857465443-l.jpg?v=1549043146","width":427}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eThe more we understand biblical characters like the apostle Paul in their specific situations and in their own time, the more we will be able to apply biblical principles to today's church, its leaders and its mission-transforming and enriching the way we do church today. Paul and His Friends in Leadership examines the apostle Paul's critical relationships with key people, illustrating his humanity, faith, confidence in God and his leadership qualities. This novel approach, by an expert in the New Testament, will encourage us to reflect on leadership in the church today and help us to see how crucial authentic relationships are to our contemporary mission.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch3\u003eContents\u003c\/h3\u003e\r\nPreface\u003cbr\u003e\r\nPaul's greatness\u003cbr\u003e\r\nPaul's life: a sketch\u003cbr\u003e\r\nPaul's calling, his mission and his churches\u003cbr\u003e\r\nPaul's mission to Cyprus and Galatia (AD47 - 48)\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eBarnabas, missionary leader\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\nPaul's mission to the Aegean provinces (AD49 - 57)\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSilvanus, missionary and translator \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eTimothy, Paul's leading fellow worker \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eLuke, beloved physician and author \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003ePriscilla and Aquila, merchants \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eStephanas, servant of the saints \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eGaius, host of the church in Corinth \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eApollos, passionate preacher \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eErastus, high-ranking city official \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eTitus (part 1), Paul's ambassador \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eEpaphras, evangelist \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003ePhilemon, house-church leader \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eOnesimus, runaway slave \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eJohn Mark, author \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eThe Asiarchs of Ephesus, leading citizens\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003ePhoebe, patroness in Cenchreae \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eAristarchus, travel companion \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\nPaul's mission in Rome (AD57)\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAndronicus and Junia, Paul's kin \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eRufus, 'chosen in the Lord' \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\nPaul's last years (AD60 - 65)\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEpaphroditus, carer \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eEuodia and Syntyche, fellow workers \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eTitus (part 2), evangelist in Crete \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eOnesiphorus, earnest friend \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\nThe origin of love in the writings of Paul\u003cbr\u003e\r\nThe significance of Paul's mission friends\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nPaul W. Barnett is a former Bishop of North Sydney, Australia, and lecturer in New Testament at Moore College, Sydney. He is the author of many well-received and influential books on the New Testament. His two interests are Christian ministry and the world of the early church. His passion is to encourage the practice of biblical principles for ministry in today's world.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader, Summer 2018\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eReview by David Sellick\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eBarnett sets out to show that Paul was more of a 'people person' than he is often given credit for and that he offered caring leadership to those with whom he shared mission, so that together 'they changed the world', as the book's subtitle claims. In Acts and Paul's letters about 100 people are named and of these Barnett identifies about forty whom he regards as Paul's key 'mission colleagues'. All named people associated with Paul's missionary work from AD49 to 57 are introduced and discussed in as much detail as the author can amass. We know that Paul often mentions people by name in his letters, but Barnett cross references Acts and the letters to produce a mini-biography of each, thereby illustrating how Paul chose, trained and supported a string of fellow missionaries who so firmly established the emerging Christian church across the eastern Roman Empire to the imperial city itself. This is a fascinating complement to Pauline studies.\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Paul and His Friends in Leadership: How they changed the world
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The more we understand biblical characters like the apostle Paul in their specific situations and in their own time, the...
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{"id":2439780597860,"title":"Stepping into Grace: Moving beyond ambition to contemplative mission","handle":"stepping-into-grace-moving-beyond-ambition-to-contemplative-mission","description":"\u003cp\u003eJourney with the prophet Jonah...\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWritten by someone with experience of pioneering mission, reflecting on the Jonah story in the light of his experience, Stepping into Grace finds powerful connections between the call and mission of Jonah and the mission context of our own time. Using the narrative thread of the biblical story to explore themes of ambition, vocation, spirituality, mission, leadership and personal growth, it argues for a ministry rooted in grace, where who we are becoming in Christ provides a foundation for our participation in the mission of God. This unique journey takes us to a place of grace where the work of God, in shaping who we are, finds space alongside what we feel called to do.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen the people of the Bible needed to work out their choices and challenges of God and faith they told a story. Paul Bradbury has done the same. He has listened, wrestled and travelled with Jonah's story through his own calling. The result is honest, creative and transforming.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e David Runcorn, author of Dust and Glory (BRF, 2015) \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo quote the paraphrase: \"God's strength shows up best in weak people.\" This book unpacks that truth in a refreshingly humble, inspiring and personal way. A must read for aspiring pioneer leaders.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Phil Potter, Leader of Fresh Expressions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBased in Poole Paul is a pioneer minister in the Church of England leading a missional community with a vision to connect with unchurched people. Writer, birdwatcher, runner, cricketer. Married to Emily with 2 children. Paul has written a book for SPCK in the past.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Church Time 31 March 2017\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eProphet to pioneers\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSteven Croft finds a study of Jonah to be required reading\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Book of Jonah is bigger than it looks. Four short chapters of parable, drama, and psalm hide uneasily among the minor prophets. The story delights children and defies the literalists. Jonah's story, read well, draws us into an ever deepening reflection on our calling and life and service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaul Bradbury's short guide to Jonah is also somewhat bigger than it looks. There are seven short chapters on themes that arise jointly from the text and from Paul's experience of pioneer ministry in Poole. The chapters explore big themes: ambition, fear, chaos, darkness, limits, grace and the contemplative life. For me, the most helpful chapters were the first and the last.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book owes an acknowledged debt to Eugene Peterson's profound reflection on Jonah (Under the Unpredictable Plant: A study in vocational holiness, Eerdmans, 1992), which I have read at almost every vocational junction. The insights from text and context here are fresh. Peterson's book is shaped to be a call to a long obedience in the same direction. Bradbury is wrestling with the call to pioneer in new forms and places and styles. He challenges some emerging myths about new forms of ministry and wrestles with some classic temptations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe scholarship is excellent. I enjoyed most the careful attention to the Hebrew texts. Bradbury quotes Rowan Williams, Richard Rohr, Pope Benedict, Brene Brown, and many others. The writing is in parts very clear and in other parts very dense and concentrated. The author has almost too much to say in some of the chapters for the space available.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePioneer ministry is still a relatively recent development in the Church of England's long experience of ministry. The literature remains small, and I am not aware of many books that offer biblical and theological reflection in this depth. I hope that Stepping into Grace will find a place on reading lists for those considering ordination and those being formed for pioneer ministry. It would be a good Lenten companion for anyone wanting to reflect on ministry and discipleship in any context. The reader should be prepared for challenge as well as fresh insight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Dr Steven Croft, Bishop of Oxford\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-12-14T16:30:49+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:22:32+00:00","vendor":"Paul Bradbury","type":"Paperback","tags":["Biblical engagement","For individuals","Kindle","Mission","Nov-16","Spirituality"],"price":799,"price_min":799,"price_max":799,"available":false,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":21769492496484,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857465238","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":7436746326116,"product_id":2439780597860,"position":1,"created_at":"2019-01-18T15:22:32+00:00","updated_at":"2019-02-01T17:45:51+00:00","alt":null,"width":427,"height":650,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857465238-l.jpg?v=1549043151","variant_ids":[21769492496484]},"available":false,"name":"Stepping into Grace: Moving beyond ambition to contemplative mission - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":799,"weight":164,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857465238","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":3238878085259,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"width":427,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857465238-l.jpg?v=1549043151"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857465238-l.jpg?v=1549043151"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857465238-l.jpg?v=1549043151","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238878085259,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"width":427,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857465238-l.jpg?v=1549043151"},"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857465238-l.jpg?v=1549043151","width":427}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eJourney with the prophet Jonah...\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWritten by someone with experience of pioneering mission, reflecting on the Jonah story in the light of his experience, Stepping into Grace finds powerful connections between the call and mission of Jonah and the mission context of our own time. Using the narrative thread of the biblical story to explore themes of ambition, vocation, spirituality, mission, leadership and personal growth, it argues for a ministry rooted in grace, where who we are becoming in Christ provides a foundation for our participation in the mission of God. This unique journey takes us to a place of grace where the work of God, in shaping who we are, finds space alongside what we feel called to do.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen the people of the Bible needed to work out their choices and challenges of God and faith they told a story. Paul Bradbury has done the same. He has listened, wrestled and travelled with Jonah's story through his own calling. The result is honest, creative and transforming.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e David Runcorn, author of Dust and Glory (BRF, 2015) \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo quote the paraphrase: \"God's strength shows up best in weak people.\" This book unpacks that truth in a refreshingly humble, inspiring and personal way. A must read for aspiring pioneer leaders.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Phil Potter, Leader of Fresh Expressions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBased in Poole Paul is a pioneer minister in the Church of England leading a missional community with a vision to connect with unchurched people. Writer, birdwatcher, runner, cricketer. Married to Emily with 2 children. Paul has written a book for SPCK in the past.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Church Time 31 March 2017\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eProphet to pioneers\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSteven Croft finds a study of Jonah to be required reading\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Book of Jonah is bigger than it looks. Four short chapters of parable, drama, and psalm hide uneasily among the minor prophets. The story delights children and defies the literalists. Jonah's story, read well, draws us into an ever deepening reflection on our calling and life and service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaul Bradbury's short guide to Jonah is also somewhat bigger than it looks. There are seven short chapters on themes that arise jointly from the text and from Paul's experience of pioneer ministry in Poole. The chapters explore big themes: ambition, fear, chaos, darkness, limits, grace and the contemplative life. For me, the most helpful chapters were the first and the last.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book owes an acknowledged debt to Eugene Peterson's profound reflection on Jonah (Under the Unpredictable Plant: A study in vocational holiness, Eerdmans, 1992), which I have read at almost every vocational junction. The insights from text and context here are fresh. Peterson's book is shaped to be a call to a long obedience in the same direction. Bradbury is wrestling with the call to pioneer in new forms and places and styles. He challenges some emerging myths about new forms of ministry and wrestles with some classic temptations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe scholarship is excellent. I enjoyed most the careful attention to the Hebrew texts. Bradbury quotes Rowan Williams, Richard Rohr, Pope Benedict, Brene Brown, and many others. The writing is in parts very clear and in other parts very dense and concentrated. The author has almost too much to say in some of the chapters for the space available.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePioneer ministry is still a relatively recent development in the Church of England's long experience of ministry. The literature remains small, and I am not aware of many books that offer biblical and theological reflection in this depth. I hope that Stepping into Grace will find a place on reading lists for those considering ordination and those being formed for pioneer ministry. It would be a good Lenten companion for anyone wanting to reflect on ministry and discipleship in any context. The reader should be prepared for challenge as well as fresh insight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Dr Steven Croft, Bishop of Oxford\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Stepping into Grace: Moving beyond ambition to contemplative mission
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Journey with the prophet Jonah... Written by someone with experience of pioneering mission, reflecting on the Jonah story in the...
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{"id":2439775223908,"title":"St Aidan's Way of Mission: Celtic insights for a post-Christian world","handle":"st-aidans-way-of-mission-celtic-insights-for-a-post-christian-world","description":"\u003cp\u003eSurveying the life and times of Aidan of Lindisfarne, this book draws insights into missional approaches to inspire both outreach and discipleship for today's Church. As in his previous BRF book, Hilda of Whitby, Ray Simpson shows that such figures from past centuries can provide models for Christian life and witness today. An author and speaker on Celtic spirituality with a worldwide reputation, he combines historical fact with spiritual lessons in a highly accessible style, with an appeal to a wide audience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nRay Simpson is a founder of the international new monastic movement known as The Community of Aidan and Hilda and is principal tutor of its Celtic Christian Studies programmes. He has written some thirty books on spirituality and lives on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, where many Christian leaders come to the Community's Retreat House and Library and for consultation. He tweets a daily prayer @whitehouseviews and writes a weekly blog on www.raysimpson.org\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 25 November 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eRay Simpson is the Lindisfarne-based founder of a new monastic movement, the Community of Aidan and Hilda. His Australian co-author, Brent Lyons-Lee, is an expert in indigenous mission initiatives.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAt one point, the authors commend the practice of lectio divina. It means 'godly reading', and is based around the four Rs of reading, reflection, response, and relaxing. It serves them well. Often, all there is to go on is fleeting insights into Aidan's life from Bede. But, in the spiritual realm, a little goes a long way. The Irish saint's very name means 'little flame'. From the book's first chapter - 'Incarnational and indigenous mission' - we are carried straight to religious flashpoints of contemporary importance.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eBorn at about the time that St Columba died, at the end of the sixth century, Aidan was commissioned from Iona to evangelise the brutally warring Anglo-Saxon settlers of Northumbria. Not for him the later Romanised colonial model of mission, a model replic ated from Australia to the Americas, where 'the gospel was preached, but abuse was modelled.' Instead, the Lindisfarne mission seeded 'little colonies of heaven' that helped to grow 'an indigenous, English-speaking church'.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eI loved the chapter on 'Soul friends and lifelong learning'. Here we are reminded that, when universities were separated from a spiritual grounding in the Beatitudes, and Christ's relationship to nature, they lost 'a holistic understanding of godly learning that embraces head, heart and hands'. Other chapters explore pilgrimage, women as spiritual foster-mothers, social justice, and religious rule and rhythm.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThere are those who would see 'Celtic Christianity' dead and buried. There are those who believe the future to be post-Christian. This little gem is a lectio divina of the signs of resurrection.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eDr McIntosh is an Honorary Fellow in divinity at Edinburgh University\u003c\/strong\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eProgressive Voices September 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis small book is an attempt to draw on the principles underpinning St Aidan's involvement in Celtic Christianity at its height, and apply them to our day. Although sometimes there's a slight element of 'St Aidan can do no wrong', it's important to say that the author is very clear about the mistakes of the representatives of both Roman and Celtic Christianity in Saxon Britain.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe chapters tackle topics ranging from church and state to the environment, the need for spiritual soul mates and the way the church continues to inflict inequality on women.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eI think the heart of the book is in chapter 5. The author is sceptical of current models of doing Church and instead expounds the notion of the local expression of Christianity as a village of God. The following has become a bit of a mantra for the author:\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA 24-hour society calls for seven-days-a-week faith communities.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eA cafe society calls for churches that are eating places.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eA travelling society calls for churches that provide accommodation.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eA stressed society calls for churches that nurture retreats and meditation.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eA multi-choice society calls for churches that have a choice of styles and facilities.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eA fragmented society calls for holistic models and whole-life discipling.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eAn eco-threatened society calls for more locally sustainable communities that have roots in the soil.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThere are other pithy sayings of this sort, particularly in the chapter on church and state which develops into a brief summary of the author's thoughts on social justice issues.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe essential message of the book is that we have reached a point where Christianity needs re-rooting in British (and European) soil, that this will be a long process requiring patience and a long-term approach as exemplified by St Aidan's dealings with the ordinary person and nobility of his day.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eGuy Whitehouse\u003c\/strong\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eJournal of Contemporary Ministry No 2 (2016)\u003c\/strong\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAidan is an inspiring saint whose Irish mission to the English is an instructive model for mission in the post-Christendom Western world today, suggest Ray Simpson with Brent Lyons-Lee.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eRay Simpson is the founding Guardian and chief liturgist of the International New Monastic Community of Aidan and Hilda and author of over thirty books on spirituality and mission. Brent Lyons-Lee is Mission Catalyst for Community Engagement with the Baptist Union of Victoria and a social justice activist. This is his third book he has co-written with Ray Simpson connecting Celtic insights with spirituality that can be at home in Australia.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe story began when Aidan was posted to the Iona monastery. When a previous mission effort to Northumbria failed, Aidan was sent from Iona to Northumbria in 635. He learned English, built trust with King Oswald and his court, and walked around the region seeking to incarnate the gospel and create indigenous 'colonies of heaven.'\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eI loved the invitation of the book to reflect on Aidan's example of the Christian life as a pilgrimage, not a possession. Irish pilgrims or peregrine allowed God's Spirit to blow them where it wished and let mission take as long as it needed. As reflected in vows of the Community of Aidan and Hilda, it is about setting sail and letting the 'Wild Goose' or untameable Spirit of God lead into wild or windy places, and then make them places of welcome and wonder. To find your calling, Simpson often says, 'Let your feet follow your heart until you find your place of resurrection' (p. 29). The place of resurrection is about not only where you will literally die, but also where you can experience shalom and harmony between yourself and your place and neighbours (and so where you may as well stay until you die). It is where 'fruit comes as a gift because we are the right person in the right place at the right time. Creativity flows. Connections take place. Synchronicity occurs. Jesus is revealed' (p. 29). That is sufficient vision to invite us to let go of what we hold (and what holds us) and step out on a Spirit-led journey, and keep walking till we find a place where the bells ring for us.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe second inspiring lesson I got from this book is that, rather than viewing the church as institutional and attractional, do-it-yourself or even focused on mission only, Aidan's vision of church was as 'God-shaped hub communities that have a heart for God, others and society' (p. 87). Starting in Lindisfarne, Aidan planted a network of monastic communities that included schools, libraries and guest quarters, and space for productive farming as well as celebratory feasting. Simpson suggests today's global village still needs churches as 'villages of God':\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA 24-hour society calls for seven-days-a-week faith communities.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eA cafe society calls for churches that are eating places.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eA travelling society calls for churches that provide accommodation.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eA stressed society calls for churches that nurture retreats and meditation.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eA multi-choice society calls for churches that have a choice of styles and facilities.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eA fragmented society calls for holistic models and whole-life discipling.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eAn eco-threatened society calls for more locally sustainable communities that have roots in the soil.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a model of church functioning in ways that are responsive to one's adopted city and seeking to foster shalom.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAidan also celebrated the image and gifts of God in women as well as men. Aidan prioritised practices and rhythms, and I appreciated the writer's urging to identify practices worth commending to people in my community. Moreover, Aidan had a grounded vision of an earthy faith that cares for Creation. The book is practical about how to do this, but also beautifully weaves together Celtic and Australian indigenous stories.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eFinally, Simpson and Lyons-Lee stressed the importance that Aidan taught of having soul friends who help us cultivate balanced and prayerful living and a lifelong love for learning wisdom. Aidan's spirituality and teaching were not focused only on book learning but also on cultivating a deep devotion, as this prayer urged:\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eDivine Mentor,\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eTeach us the habits of holy learning,\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo know your ways\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo explore your world\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo learn from experience\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo understand people\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo manage time and talents\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo draw on wellsprings of wisdom\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eUntil we become a people of saints and scholars (p. 47).\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Church in the West does not need another one-size-fits-all off-the-shelf program. However, we do need stories of saints who have walked journeys of courageous faith and adventurous mission - not to imitate closely but to suggest principles and ways of engaging our neighbourhoods in fresh and humble ways. St Aidan's Way of Mission is a delightful read, weaving together the story of this inspiring saint and implications for contemporary ministry.[p\u0026gt;]\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eDr Darren Cronshaw\u003c\/strong\u003e\r\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eRay Simpson's writing is readable and thought-provoking. The subtitle for this book is 'Celtic insights for a post-Christian world', and is a helpful reminder how valuable the insights of the Celtic saints are for the challenges we face today. The authors reflect on life as a Christian in a world that has lost touch with a deeply-rooted spirituality, returning to the mission of St Aidan and his deep desire to bring the relevance of Christianity to day to day life. They explain the relevance of Aidan in the globally dangerous world we find ourselves in and remind us of the call to live the eternal values of Christianity, but also the need to ensure we are culturally relevant. Lyons-Lee brings an Australian cross-cultural mission perspective and contributes an interesting angle to the spirituality of place and how this relates to the Celtic church.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAidan was a man of his time (seventh century), yet in the great missions of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, many missionaries dispersed from Britain and Ireland, and clearly could not have done this had it not been for the work of their forefathers and mothers. Simpson and Lee remind us for the need for a 'bottom up' rather than a 'top down' culture of mission. They argue that the question of whether we are post-Christian relates closely to our post-colonial heritage, taking in the strands of evangelism and the prosperity gospel, and other negative forms of Christianity which favour the few. They demonstrate the model of mission where networks and communities have justice integrated within them.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eCeltic women feature strongly, and certainly I was left wanting more of the great women who are considered the key Celtic saints- Hilda Brigid and Bega. They are women who could offer a lot to our churches and different models of leadership and ministry. When the writers state that in the history of Christianity, only three countries have routinely dignified them by appointing them to lead large monasteries of women and men, I would have liked to know more of these women within the German, French and English traditions. I can imagine some of the names that would be included here, but found myself wondering about these founders about whom little is known, women who were known for leadership and soul friendship and would have been the early spiritual directors. This book raises important questions and the chapter focussing particularly on women would be a creative study for our 'Catholic Women's Ordination' groups.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eKatharine Salmon\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:22:08+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:22:09+00:00","vendor":"Ray Simpson","type":"Paperback","tags":["For individuals","Jul-16","Kindle","Mission","Spirituality"],"price":799,"price_min":799,"price_max":799,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":21769401073764,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857464859","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"St Aidan's Way of Mission: Celtic insights for a post-Christian world - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":799,"weight":188,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857464859","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464859-l.jpg?v=1549043156"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464859-l.jpg?v=1549043156","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238877659275,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"width":426,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464859-l.jpg?v=1549043156"},"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464859-l.jpg?v=1549043156","width":426}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eSurveying the life and times of Aidan of Lindisfarne, this book draws insights into missional approaches to inspire both outreach and discipleship for today's Church. As in his previous BRF book, Hilda of Whitby, Ray Simpson shows that such figures from past centuries can provide models for Christian life and witness today. An author and speaker on Celtic spirituality with a worldwide reputation, he combines historical fact with spiritual lessons in a highly accessible style, with an appeal to a wide audience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nRay Simpson is a founder of the international new monastic movement known as The Community of Aidan and Hilda and is principal tutor of its Celtic Christian Studies programmes. He has written some thirty books on spirituality and lives on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, where many Christian leaders come to the Community's Retreat House and Library and for consultation. He tweets a daily prayer @whitehouseviews and writes a weekly blog on www.raysimpson.org\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 25 November 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eRay Simpson is the Lindisfarne-based founder of a new monastic movement, the Community of Aidan and Hilda. His Australian co-author, Brent Lyons-Lee, is an expert in indigenous mission initiatives.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAt one point, the authors commend the practice of lectio divina. It means 'godly reading', and is based around the four Rs of reading, reflection, response, and relaxing. It serves them well. Often, all there is to go on is fleeting insights into Aidan's life from Bede. But, in the spiritual realm, a little goes a long way. The Irish saint's very name means 'little flame'. From the book's first chapter - 'Incarnational and indigenous mission' - we are carried straight to religious flashpoints of contemporary importance.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eBorn at about the time that St Columba died, at the end of the sixth century, Aidan was commissioned from Iona to evangelise the brutally warring Anglo-Saxon settlers of Northumbria. Not for him the later Romanised colonial model of mission, a model replic ated from Australia to the Americas, where 'the gospel was preached, but abuse was modelled.' Instead, the Lindisfarne mission seeded 'little colonies of heaven' that helped to grow 'an indigenous, English-speaking church'.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eI loved the chapter on 'Soul friends and lifelong learning'. Here we are reminded that, when universities were separated from a spiritual grounding in the Beatitudes, and Christ's relationship to nature, they lost 'a holistic understanding of godly learning that embraces head, heart and hands'. Other chapters explore pilgrimage, women as spiritual foster-mothers, social justice, and religious rule and rhythm.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThere are those who would see 'Celtic Christianity' dead and buried. There are those who believe the future to be post-Christian. This little gem is a lectio divina of the signs of resurrection.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eDr McIntosh is an Honorary Fellow in divinity at Edinburgh University\u003c\/strong\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eProgressive Voices September 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis small book is an attempt to draw on the principles underpinning St Aidan's involvement in Celtic Christianity at its height, and apply them to our day. Although sometimes there's a slight element of 'St Aidan can do no wrong', it's important to say that the author is very clear about the mistakes of the representatives of both Roman and Celtic Christianity in Saxon Britain.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe chapters tackle topics ranging from church and state to the environment, the need for spiritual soul mates and the way the church continues to inflict inequality on women.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eI think the heart of the book is in chapter 5. The author is sceptical of current models of doing Church and instead expounds the notion of the local expression of Christianity as a village of God. The following has become a bit of a mantra for the author:\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA 24-hour society calls for seven-days-a-week faith communities.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eA cafe society calls for churches that are eating places.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eA travelling society calls for churches that provide accommodation.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eA stressed society calls for churches that nurture retreats and meditation.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eA multi-choice society calls for churches that have a choice of styles and facilities.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eA fragmented society calls for holistic models and whole-life discipling.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eAn eco-threatened society calls for more locally sustainable communities that have roots in the soil.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThere are other pithy sayings of this sort, particularly in the chapter on church and state which develops into a brief summary of the author's thoughts on social justice issues.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe essential message of the book is that we have reached a point where Christianity needs re-rooting in British (and European) soil, that this will be a long process requiring patience and a long-term approach as exemplified by St Aidan's dealings with the ordinary person and nobility of his day.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eGuy Whitehouse\u003c\/strong\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eJournal of Contemporary Ministry No 2 (2016)\u003c\/strong\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAidan is an inspiring saint whose Irish mission to the English is an instructive model for mission in the post-Christendom Western world today, suggest Ray Simpson with Brent Lyons-Lee.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eRay Simpson is the founding Guardian and chief liturgist of the International New Monastic Community of Aidan and Hilda and author of over thirty books on spirituality and mission. Brent Lyons-Lee is Mission Catalyst for Community Engagement with the Baptist Union of Victoria and a social justice activist. This is his third book he has co-written with Ray Simpson connecting Celtic insights with spirituality that can be at home in Australia.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe story began when Aidan was posted to the Iona monastery. When a previous mission effort to Northumbria failed, Aidan was sent from Iona to Northumbria in 635. He learned English, built trust with King Oswald and his court, and walked around the region seeking to incarnate the gospel and create indigenous 'colonies of heaven.'\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eI loved the invitation of the book to reflect on Aidan's example of the Christian life as a pilgrimage, not a possession. Irish pilgrims or peregrine allowed God's Spirit to blow them where it wished and let mission take as long as it needed. As reflected in vows of the Community of Aidan and Hilda, it is about setting sail and letting the 'Wild Goose' or untameable Spirit of God lead into wild or windy places, and then make them places of welcome and wonder. To find your calling, Simpson often says, 'Let your feet follow your heart until you find your place of resurrection' (p. 29). The place of resurrection is about not only where you will literally die, but also where you can experience shalom and harmony between yourself and your place and neighbours (and so where you may as well stay until you die). It is where 'fruit comes as a gift because we are the right person in the right place at the right time. Creativity flows. Connections take place. Synchronicity occurs. Jesus is revealed' (p. 29). That is sufficient vision to invite us to let go of what we hold (and what holds us) and step out on a Spirit-led journey, and keep walking till we find a place where the bells ring for us.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe second inspiring lesson I got from this book is that, rather than viewing the church as institutional and attractional, do-it-yourself or even focused on mission only, Aidan's vision of church was as 'God-shaped hub communities that have a heart for God, others and society' (p. 87). Starting in Lindisfarne, Aidan planted a network of monastic communities that included schools, libraries and guest quarters, and space for productive farming as well as celebratory feasting. Simpson suggests today's global village still needs churches as 'villages of God':\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA 24-hour society calls for seven-days-a-week faith communities.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eA cafe society calls for churches that are eating places.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eA travelling society calls for churches that provide accommodation.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eA stressed society calls for churches that nurture retreats and meditation.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eA multi-choice society calls for churches that have a choice of styles and facilities.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eA fragmented society calls for holistic models and whole-life discipling.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eAn eco-threatened society calls for more locally sustainable communities that have roots in the soil.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a model of church functioning in ways that are responsive to one's adopted city and seeking to foster shalom.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAidan also celebrated the image and gifts of God in women as well as men. Aidan prioritised practices and rhythms, and I appreciated the writer's urging to identify practices worth commending to people in my community. Moreover, Aidan had a grounded vision of an earthy faith that cares for Creation. The book is practical about how to do this, but also beautifully weaves together Celtic and Australian indigenous stories.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eFinally, Simpson and Lyons-Lee stressed the importance that Aidan taught of having soul friends who help us cultivate balanced and prayerful living and a lifelong love for learning wisdom. Aidan's spirituality and teaching were not focused only on book learning but also on cultivating a deep devotion, as this prayer urged:\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eDivine Mentor,\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eTeach us the habits of holy learning,\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo know your ways\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo explore your world\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo learn from experience\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo understand people\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo manage time and talents\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo draw on wellsprings of wisdom\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eUntil we become a people of saints and scholars (p. 47).\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Church in the West does not need another one-size-fits-all off-the-shelf program. However, we do need stories of saints who have walked journeys of courageous faith and adventurous mission - not to imitate closely but to suggest principles and ways of engaging our neighbourhoods in fresh and humble ways. St Aidan's Way of Mission is a delightful read, weaving together the story of this inspiring saint and implications for contemporary ministry.[p\u0026gt;]\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eDr Darren Cronshaw\u003c\/strong\u003e\r\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eRay Simpson's writing is readable and thought-provoking. The subtitle for this book is 'Celtic insights for a post-Christian world', and is a helpful reminder how valuable the insights of the Celtic saints are for the challenges we face today. The authors reflect on life as a Christian in a world that has lost touch with a deeply-rooted spirituality, returning to the mission of St Aidan and his deep desire to bring the relevance of Christianity to day to day life. They explain the relevance of Aidan in the globally dangerous world we find ourselves in and remind us of the call to live the eternal values of Christianity, but also the need to ensure we are culturally relevant. Lyons-Lee brings an Australian cross-cultural mission perspective and contributes an interesting angle to the spirituality of place and how this relates to the Celtic church.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAidan was a man of his time (seventh century), yet in the great missions of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, many missionaries dispersed from Britain and Ireland, and clearly could not have done this had it not been for the work of their forefathers and mothers. Simpson and Lee remind us for the need for a 'bottom up' rather than a 'top down' culture of mission. They argue that the question of whether we are post-Christian relates closely to our post-colonial heritage, taking in the strands of evangelism and the prosperity gospel, and other negative forms of Christianity which favour the few. They demonstrate the model of mission where networks and communities have justice integrated within them.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eCeltic women feature strongly, and certainly I was left wanting more of the great women who are considered the key Celtic saints- Hilda Brigid and Bega. They are women who could offer a lot to our churches and different models of leadership and ministry. When the writers state that in the history of Christianity, only three countries have routinely dignified them by appointing them to lead large monasteries of women and men, I would have liked to know more of these women within the German, French and English traditions. I can imagine some of the names that would be included here, but found myself wondering about these founders about whom little is known, women who were known for leadership and soul friendship and would have been the early spiritual directors. This book raises important questions and the chapter focussing particularly on women would be a creative study for our 'Catholic Women's Ordination' groups.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eKatharine Salmon\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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St Aidan's Way of Mission: Celtic insights for a post-Christian world
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Surveying the life and times of Aidan of Lindisfarne, this book draws insights into missional approaches to inspire both outreach...
{"id":2439772897380,"title":"God's Belongers: How people engage with God today and how the church can help","handle":"gods-belongers-how-people-engage-with-god-today-and-how-the-church-can-help","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis book transforms thinking about church membership by replacing the division between 'members' and 'non-members' with a four-fold model of belonging. Based in extensive practical research, David Walker shows how 'belonging' can encompass a far wider group of people than those who attend weekly services. He examines belonging through relationship, through place and through events, as well as the traditional belonging through activities. He goes on to explore the opportunities for mission that emerge as a result - while also acknowledging the challenges posed for issues such as church financing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eContents\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction: an aid for mission\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePart 1: How we belong\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 Belonging: a theological concept\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e2 Reliably regular: belonging through church activities\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e3 People power: belonging through relationships\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e4 Only the once: belonging through events\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e5 Location, location: belonging through place\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e6 The mystery of the missing vicar: an example of belonging\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePart 2: Belonging for mission\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e7 What's the difference? Understanding occasional churchgoers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e8 Together in mission: the Five Marks of Mission\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e9 Paying the piper: what has become of Anglican governance and finance?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePart 3: Who else is missing?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e10 Types and temperaments: what is Psychological Type?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e11 Models for motivation: exploring the world of Religious Orientation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e12 Never on Sunday: the opportunities and challenges of Sunday worship\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eForeword\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhenever the church gets to talking about numbers, sooner or later someone will protest that it is not all about bums on seats, is it? Well, yes and no. As this readable and insightful book from David Walker makes clear, belonging cannot simply be measured by your attendance record. There are multiple ways of belonging to any organisation or community, and especially the church. But if instead of 'bums on seats' the church talked about 'hearts being changed' or 'lives being transformed', and once we realise that there can be no impact in our local communities and wider society unless there are at least some people who not only belong, but whose belonging shapes and directs the whole of their lives, i.e. their hearts are being changed and their lives are being transformed, then we begin to see that understanding how people belong and ministering to people in their different ways of belonging is something worth thinking about. This book will help you.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eThe Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/BishopDavidWalker_480x480.jpg?v=1676497548\" alt=\"\" style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" width=\"219\" height=\"269\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" data-mce-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/BishopDavidWalker_480x480.jpg?v=1676497548\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\nAfter a Maths degree at Cambridge, David Walker trained in theology in Birmingham. He served in churches in the dioceses of Sheffield before becoming Bishop of Dudley in 2000 and then in 2013 Bishop of Manchester. He is involved in writing a continuing series of papers for peer review journals and the International Society of Empirical Research in Theology, using quantitative methods to analyse aspects of rural Anglicanism. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a member of the Rural Theology Association, the Church of England Ministry Council and one of the Church Commissioners for England. He has contributed chapters to a number of books including Changing Rural Life: A Christian response to key rural issues (Canterbury Press, 2004), Rural Life and Rural Church: theological and empirical perspectives (Equinox, 2012), Exploring Ordinary Theology: everyday Christian believing and the Church (Ashgate, 2013). He has written papers for (amongst other journals) Rural Theology, the Journal of Beliefs \u0026amp; Values and the Journal of Anglican Studies. In 2014 he was awarded a PhD from the University of Warwick for the studies on which this book will be based.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 21.7.17\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eReview by Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Chelmsford of \u003cem\u003eGod's Belongers: How people engage with God today and how the Church can help\u003c\/em\u003e by David Walker and \u003cem\u003eReproducing Churches \u003c\/em\u003eby George Lings\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnce in a while, a book comes along that changes the way you look at things. Here are two.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDavid Walker's delightfully titled \u003cem\u003eGod's Belongers\u003c\/em\u003e analyses the different ways in which people express their belonging to church and their engagement with God, and suggests new strategies that will help the local church understand and provide for this belonging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBased on extensive research of church attendance at rural harvest festivals and Christmas carol services, the central thesis of this book is that regular churchgoing is not the only way in which Christian belonging is expressed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn one level, this is completely obvious. Most churches, however, persist with a gold standard of 'every-Sunday-morning' belonging, and all evangelistic endeavour is geared towards achieving this. But, as Walker's well-researched and well-argued book unfolds, we find that belonging can be measured in other ways, and this is more to do with personality and circumstance than commitment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo, the one who comes less often is not necessarily less committed. Someone whose primary belonging comes through relationships, and who wishes to express this in service, may never come every week. But his or her 'lived-out' discipleship, day by day, demonstrates a commitment equal to any weekly communicant. If weekly attendance is the only goal, this person's faith development may be stymied, and the church's ability and flexibility to grow in different ways diminished.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePut this alongside the vastly changed pattern of work, leisure, and family life in Britain today, and the impact on church life is plain to see. Strategies for evangelism and discipleship need to work with the grain of these different types of belonging, not against them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe development of Fresh Expressions in the Church of England is one such example of helping people to belong differently.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFresh Expressions of Church is not a stepping-stone towards the so-called 'real church' of Sunday morning. Worshipping in a variety of cultural styles, meeting in different places and different formats and at different times, Fresh Expressions have enabled the Church to broaden its reach.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis has been a remarkable story of missional and ecclesiological enterprise, and, although many people have played a significant part in this story, none has done more than George Lings. His ministry as theologian, researcher and church-planter has provided the impetus and inspiration for the Church to try new things. He has also led the way in enabling the Church to reflect on and learn from these experiments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll this is brought together in \u003cem\u003eReproducing Churches\u003c\/em\u003e. Lings explains and develops the basic thesis that reproduction is inherent in what it means to be the Church, not merely an optional function that some may choose. In other words, for the Church to be the Church it must reproduce. Based, again, on extensive research and vast experience, this book is probably the best available handbook for understanding church-planting and Fresh Expressions, and seeing how the Church can become what it is meant to be be. Put these two books together, and every church will be rethinking its evangelistic strategy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by the Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Chelmsford\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArthur Rank Centre Resources. Review by Revd Elizabeth Clark, National Rural Officer for the Methodist and United Reformed Churches\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this challenging book David Walker, Bishop of Manchester, argues that people belong to their community and to church in different ways. Some belong through activities and are often regular churchgoers and office holders in the church, the sort of person everyone knows and likes. This person helps others to relate to God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 'God's Belongers' these ways of belonging are offered as a framework within which we might consider how to shape and focus the mission of the church beyond 'people like us.' So often mission is based around the things that those already in the church are comfortable with. Walker challenges us to look at how we can do things differently so that other ways of belonging can be welcomed and accommodated, and people can grow in faith.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short, this book encourages us to look seriously at those not like us so that we can welcome them. It also challenges us to learn from others because 'the evidence we've found of a rich and complex pattern of belonging challenges the often implicit assumption that occasional church goers are 'nominal' Christians'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile 'God's Belongers' inevitably reflects Bishop David's Anglican perspective, his insights are more widely applicable are easy to translate for other denominational contexts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Elizabeth Clark, National Rural Officer for the Methodist and United Reformed Churches\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader (Spring 2018). Review by Janice Price\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an important research based examination of how people belong to church. Based on two surveys taken in 2007 and 2009 in the Dioceses of Worcester and Lichfield, Walker outlines four ways - through people, places, one-off events and regular activities - that people belong to the Church. The samples were taken at rural harvest services and Christmas carol services and show information about the attitudes or regular churchgoers to those who attend occasionally. Walker argues that people, places or one-off events are co-workers with regular attendees and not objects of mission. He also asks whether it is possible to be a good Christian and not go to church very often. 'God's Belongers' is full of important questions and issues for PCCs, ministry teams and others to consider. It challenges stereotypes of the 'not-often-there' church attendees and deserves wide and careful consideration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Janice Price\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:21:59+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:22:01+00:00","vendor":"David Walker","type":"Paperback","tags":["Church life","Kindle","Leadership","Mission","Torch Trust"],"price":799,"price_min":799,"price_max":799,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":21769369256036,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857464675","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":7436693766244,"product_id":2439772897380,"position":1,"created_at":"2019-01-18T15:22:01+00:00","updated_at":"2019-02-01T17:45:57+00:00","alt":null,"width":427,"height":650,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464675-l.jpg?v=1549043157","variant_ids":[21769369256036]},"available":true,"name":"God's Belongers: How people engage with God today and how the church can help - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":799,"weight":180,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857464675","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":3238877495435,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"width":427,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464675-l.jpg?v=1549043157"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464675-l.jpg?v=1549043157","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/59_d53f0ad3-f934-490f-84ef-26363311753e.png?v=1734095680"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464675-l.jpg?v=1549043157","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238877495435,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"width":427,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464675-l.jpg?v=1549043157"},"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464675-l.jpg?v=1549043157","width":427},{"alt":null,"id":63560964866428,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/59_d53f0ad3-f934-490f-84ef-26363311753e.png?v=1734095680"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/59_d53f0ad3-f934-490f-84ef-26363311753e.png?v=1734095680","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eThis book transforms thinking about church membership by replacing the division between 'members' and 'non-members' with a four-fold model of belonging. Based in extensive practical research, David Walker shows how 'belonging' can encompass a far wider group of people than those who attend weekly services. He examines belonging through relationship, through place and through events, as well as the traditional belonging through activities. He goes on to explore the opportunities for mission that emerge as a result - while also acknowledging the challenges posed for issues such as church financing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eContents\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction: an aid for mission\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePart 1: How we belong\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 Belonging: a theological concept\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e2 Reliably regular: belonging through church activities\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e3 People power: belonging through relationships\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e4 Only the once: belonging through events\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e5 Location, location: belonging through place\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e6 The mystery of the missing vicar: an example of belonging\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePart 2: Belonging for mission\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e7 What's the difference? Understanding occasional churchgoers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e8 Together in mission: the Five Marks of Mission\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e9 Paying the piper: what has become of Anglican governance and finance?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePart 3: Who else is missing?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e10 Types and temperaments: what is Psychological Type?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e11 Models for motivation: exploring the world of Religious Orientation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e12 Never on Sunday: the opportunities and challenges of Sunday worship\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eForeword\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhenever the church gets to talking about numbers, sooner or later someone will protest that it is not all about bums on seats, is it? Well, yes and no. As this readable and insightful book from David Walker makes clear, belonging cannot simply be measured by your attendance record. There are multiple ways of belonging to any organisation or community, and especially the church. But if instead of 'bums on seats' the church talked about 'hearts being changed' or 'lives being transformed', and once we realise that there can be no impact in our local communities and wider society unless there are at least some people who not only belong, but whose belonging shapes and directs the whole of their lives, i.e. their hearts are being changed and their lives are being transformed, then we begin to see that understanding how people belong and ministering to people in their different ways of belonging is something worth thinking about. This book will help you.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eThe Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/BishopDavidWalker_480x480.jpg?v=1676497548\" alt=\"\" style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" width=\"219\" height=\"269\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" data-mce-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/BishopDavidWalker_480x480.jpg?v=1676497548\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\nAfter a Maths degree at Cambridge, David Walker trained in theology in Birmingham. He served in churches in the dioceses of Sheffield before becoming Bishop of Dudley in 2000 and then in 2013 Bishop of Manchester. He is involved in writing a continuing series of papers for peer review journals and the International Society of Empirical Research in Theology, using quantitative methods to analyse aspects of rural Anglicanism. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a member of the Rural Theology Association, the Church of England Ministry Council and one of the Church Commissioners for England. He has contributed chapters to a number of books including Changing Rural Life: A Christian response to key rural issues (Canterbury Press, 2004), Rural Life and Rural Church: theological and empirical perspectives (Equinox, 2012), Exploring Ordinary Theology: everyday Christian believing and the Church (Ashgate, 2013). He has written papers for (amongst other journals) Rural Theology, the Journal of Beliefs \u0026amp; Values and the Journal of Anglican Studies. In 2014 he was awarded a PhD from the University of Warwick for the studies on which this book will be based.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 21.7.17\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eReview by Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Chelmsford of \u003cem\u003eGod's Belongers: How people engage with God today and how the Church can help\u003c\/em\u003e by David Walker and \u003cem\u003eReproducing Churches \u003c\/em\u003eby George Lings\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnce in a while, a book comes along that changes the way you look at things. Here are two.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDavid Walker's delightfully titled \u003cem\u003eGod's Belongers\u003c\/em\u003e analyses the different ways in which people express their belonging to church and their engagement with God, and suggests new strategies that will help the local church understand and provide for this belonging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBased on extensive research of church attendance at rural harvest festivals and Christmas carol services, the central thesis of this book is that regular churchgoing is not the only way in which Christian belonging is expressed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn one level, this is completely obvious. Most churches, however, persist with a gold standard of 'every-Sunday-morning' belonging, and all evangelistic endeavour is geared towards achieving this. But, as Walker's well-researched and well-argued book unfolds, we find that belonging can be measured in other ways, and this is more to do with personality and circumstance than commitment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo, the one who comes less often is not necessarily less committed. Someone whose primary belonging comes through relationships, and who wishes to express this in service, may never come every week. But his or her 'lived-out' discipleship, day by day, demonstrates a commitment equal to any weekly communicant. If weekly attendance is the only goal, this person's faith development may be stymied, and the church's ability and flexibility to grow in different ways diminished.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePut this alongside the vastly changed pattern of work, leisure, and family life in Britain today, and the impact on church life is plain to see. Strategies for evangelism and discipleship need to work with the grain of these different types of belonging, not against them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe development of Fresh Expressions in the Church of England is one such example of helping people to belong differently.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFresh Expressions of Church is not a stepping-stone towards the so-called 'real church' of Sunday morning. Worshipping in a variety of cultural styles, meeting in different places and different formats and at different times, Fresh Expressions have enabled the Church to broaden its reach.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis has been a remarkable story of missional and ecclesiological enterprise, and, although many people have played a significant part in this story, none has done more than George Lings. His ministry as theologian, researcher and church-planter has provided the impetus and inspiration for the Church to try new things. He has also led the way in enabling the Church to reflect on and learn from these experiments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll this is brought together in \u003cem\u003eReproducing Churches\u003c\/em\u003e. Lings explains and develops the basic thesis that reproduction is inherent in what it means to be the Church, not merely an optional function that some may choose. In other words, for the Church to be the Church it must reproduce. Based, again, on extensive research and vast experience, this book is probably the best available handbook for understanding church-planting and Fresh Expressions, and seeing how the Church can become what it is meant to be be. Put these two books together, and every church will be rethinking its evangelistic strategy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by the Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Chelmsford\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArthur Rank Centre Resources. Review by Revd Elizabeth Clark, National Rural Officer for the Methodist and United Reformed Churches\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this challenging book David Walker, Bishop of Manchester, argues that people belong to their community and to church in different ways. Some belong through activities and are often regular churchgoers and office holders in the church, the sort of person everyone knows and likes. This person helps others to relate to God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 'God's Belongers' these ways of belonging are offered as a framework within which we might consider how to shape and focus the mission of the church beyond 'people like us.' So often mission is based around the things that those already in the church are comfortable with. Walker challenges us to look at how we can do things differently so that other ways of belonging can be welcomed and accommodated, and people can grow in faith.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short, this book encourages us to look seriously at those not like us so that we can welcome them. It also challenges us to learn from others because 'the evidence we've found of a rich and complex pattern of belonging challenges the often implicit assumption that occasional church goers are 'nominal' Christians'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile 'God's Belongers' inevitably reflects Bishop David's Anglican perspective, his insights are more widely applicable are easy to translate for other denominational contexts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Elizabeth Clark, National Rural Officer for the Methodist and United Reformed Churches\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader (Spring 2018). Review by Janice Price\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an important research based examination of how people belong to church. Based on two surveys taken in 2007 and 2009 in the Dioceses of Worcester and Lichfield, Walker outlines four ways - through people, places, one-off events and regular activities - that people belong to the Church. The samples were taken at rural harvest services and Christmas carol services and show information about the attitudes or regular churchgoers to those who attend occasionally. Walker argues that people, places or one-off events are co-workers with regular attendees and not objects of mission. He also asks whether it is possible to be a good Christian and not go to church very often. 'God's Belongers' is full of important questions and issues for PCCs, ministry teams and others to consider. It challenges stereotypes of the 'not-often-there' church attendees and deserves wide and careful consideration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Janice Price\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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God's Belongers: How people engage with God today and how the church can help
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This book transforms thinking about church membership by replacing the division between 'members' and 'non-members' with a four-fold model of...
{"id":2439772504164,"title":"Reproducing Churches","handle":"reproducing-churches","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis book investigates the theological basis for church planting and creating fresh expressions of church. Based on extensive research, senior church planting authority George Lings argues that the church has a divine calling and capacity to reproduce, albeit in ways that are intentionally non-identical. Using the doctrine of the Trinity, as well as key passages throughout scripture, he shows how such reproduction fulfills the mission of God. The book also includes many practical examples drawn from church history, to help apply the message to congregations today.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch2\u003eContents\u003c\/h2\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction: why this book?\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e1 Different lenses, different views of the Church\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e2 Creation and covenant's mandate to reproduce\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e3 The reproductive strand in the kingdom and the Gospels\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e4 The Trinity and the Church seen as community-in-mission\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e5 Looking to Jesus the pioneer\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e6 Following Jesus in dying to live\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e7 The Holy Spirit and the surprises in reproduction\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e8 Christendom's eclipse of a reproducing Church\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e9 Reproduction and the classic 'four marks' of the Church\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e10 The useful outworking of the reproductive strand\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e11 Rehabilitating the Church\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nGeorge Lings heads up Church Army's Research Unit, which for 20 years has been at work discerning the evolving mission of the church and the resultant fresh expressions of church. He has written over 50 booklets on the evolving theory and practice of bringing to birth fresh expressions of church, through the Encounters On The Edge series, which had an international subscription base of 500. Moreover the content of his book proposal has been peer-tested for academic rigour for it rests upon the findings of a recent PhD.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 21.7.17\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eReview by Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Chelmsford of \u003cem\u003eGod's Belongers: How people engage with God today and how the Church can help\u003c\/em\u003e by David Walker and \u003cem\u003eReproducing Churches \u003c\/em\u003eby George Lings\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce in a while, a book comes along that changes the way you look at things. Here are two.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eDavid Walker's delightfully titled \u003cem\u003eGod's Belongers\u003c\/em\u003e analyses the different ways in which people express their belonging to church and their engagement with God, and suggests new strategies that will help the local church understand and provide for this belonging.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eBased on extensive research of church attendance at rural harvest festivals and Christmas carol services, the central thesis of this book is that regular churchgoing is not the only way in which Christian belonging is expressed.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eOn one level, this is completely obvious. Most churches, however, persist with a gold standard of 'every-Sunday-morning' belonging, and all evangelistic endeavour is geared towards achieving this. But, as Walker's well-researched and well-argued book unfolds, we find that belonging can be measured in other ways, and this is more to do with personality and circumstance than commitment.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eSo, the one who comes less often is not necessarily less committed. Someone whose primary belonging comes through relationships, and who wishes to express this in service, may never come every week. But his or her 'lived-out' discipleship, day by day, demonstrates a commitment equal to any weekly communicant. If weekly attendance is the only goal, this person's faith development may be stymied, and the church's ability and flexibility to grow in different ways diminished.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003ePut this alongside the vastly changed pattern of work, leisure, and family life in Britain today, and the impact on church life is plain to see. Strategies for evangelism and discipleship need to work with the grain of these different types of belonging, not against them.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe development of Fresh Expressions in the Church of England is one such example of helping people to belong differently.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eFresh Expressio